Tate, Switzler halls to be renovated

UM system bond money will fund the renovations.

By Deron Dalton

Published Oct. 13, 2009

After more than 20 years of waiting for renovation, both Tate and Switzler halls are being revamped over the next year and a half.

College of Arts and Science Dean Michael O'Brien said Tate and Switzler halls have been at the top of a list of university buildings to be renovated for years and a lack of funding has prevented either hall from being renovated in the past. The UM system issued bond money in July to fund the renovations of both halls.

Renovation will begin at Tate Hall, which houses the English department, later this month. Along with Switzler, Tate will reopen in summer 2011.

O'Brien said Tate's renovation will cost an estimated $9 million and for Switzler, which houses the communication department, renovation will cost $5 million. Tate Hall will partially close later this month.

"Tate won't close completely until the end of the semester," O'Brien said. "We're keeping the large lecture hall open until then."

English teaching assistant John Nieves said rooms, such as the graduate student lounge and the reading room in Tate Hall, have been the settings for some of the department's best collaborative work.

"It's always hard to move a whole department," Nieves said. "I am sure the new building will have excellent collaborative space as well. But in the interim space, our temporary home does not afford such a productive luxury."

O'Brien said staff, faculty and students have all pitched in to get things packed for the move to McReynolds.

"The department will not have as much space in McReynolds Hall, but it's a very workable space," executive staff assistant Sharon Black said. "And we're grateful that the entire department will be in one building."

Switzler Hall, which also houses the Office of Special Degree Programs, will begin renovation in November.

O'Brien, who previously had an office in Switzler's basement, said the building is uninhabitable.

Cathy Illingworth, senior secretary for the communication department, said she's also excited to see what improvements will be made to Switzler, but is concerned about the building losing some of its charm.

"It is the oldest classroom building," Illingworth said. "It was built in 1871. I'll be sorry to lose some of the charming qualities of the old building."

Illingworth said both the Office of Special Degree Programs and the department of communication would be moving to the Heinkel Building when renovation begins at Switzler.

"The basic concern is finding room there to move the stuff we have here," Illingworth said.

Campus Facilities Communications Manager Karlan Seville said reassignments for classrooms are not yet in place and they are in the process of finalizing classroom relocations.

"The folks in Space Management and in the vice provost for Enrollment Management's office have worked to ensure that all classes will continue undisrupted," O'Brien said.