Dear Members of the Providence College Community:

I am pleased to inform the campus community that the Providence College Corporation, acting on the recommendation of the Board of Trustees, has approved the Slavin Center expansion project. As I reported to you at the fall faculty-staff meeting, our goal is to reclaim Slavin Center as a vibrant student union through thoughtful renovations that can provide attractive common gathering spaces and support new program initiatives. The footprint of the Slavin Center will be expanded on the south side to provide 24/7 space for students to use for informal social gatherings. This will increase dramatically the current available space for this use from 600 to 4,700 square feet.

Beginning this week, construction activity will begin with erection of perimeter fencing and other work preparation on the south side of Slavin. Excavation and demolition work will get underway shortly and, weather permitting, is scheduled to be completed by the time classes resume for the spring semester on January 20, 2009. 

Construction activity is not expected to disrupt daily operations in Slavin. All pedestrian traffic entering and exiting the facility will be redirected through the Ruane Atrium in the Concannon Fitness Center on the east side of the building or from the west side open deck stairway and handicap ramp adjacent to the front of Alumni Hall. (A pedestrian egress plan will be posted inside the building at key locations.)

In recent months, student representatives have worked closely with the Office of Student Affairs Administration to identify the gathering spaces and new programs that need to be accommodated in the revitalized facility. A glass-enclosed atrium incorporating rooftop photovoltaic cells to harness energy as part of a "solar green" initiative will create a new south side entrance to Slavin Center. This striking design, which parallels that of the Ruane Atrium of the Concannon Fitness Center, will provide natural sunlight during the day and a welcome openness at night.

The total project will encompass 7,700 square feet of new space and 560 square feet of renovated space, spanning three levels. The renovation also will expand studio space for WDOM radio and PCtv and create a new late-night snack station.

While these troubled economic times may slow the pace of implementing certain strategic initiatives, the Corporation and Board of Trustees agreed that this project is critically important at this time to support a number of student initiatives.  Funding has been earmarked and secured to complete the Slavin expansion project and we have set an ambitious timetable, anticipating that a renovated Slavin Center will be ready when classes begin in September 2009.

I will update you on the Slavin Center expansion at key junctures as well as at the spring faculty-staff meeting.

Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P.
President