The $19 million Schroeder Hall renovation project involves a complete gutting and redesign of the building, including up-to-date heating and cooling elements and a new floor plan. In the new design, the bottom two floors are mostly classrooms, and the top two are mainly department and faculty offices.

While changes to the façade of Schroeder are readily apparent, the internal changes are evident immediately upon entering the building. The entranceways, hallways, and classrooms are bright and warm, and perhaps one of the most welcome changes to the building is that both men’s and women’s restrooms are now located on every floor—old Schroeder only had one restroom per floor. “All of us are like little kids in our larger, modern, light-filled offices," said John Freed, History Department chair. “For the first time in 35 years, I have an office with a window. You can't believe what a morale booster that is.” Jamal Nassar, Politics and Government chair adds, "Schroeder Hall is now a cutting edge facility—it finally caught up with our program. I invite all our former students to come by for a visit. They will be astounded at the new state of the art building. It is stunning!"

While residents of Schroeder’s east wing were moving back into their new offices, Schroeder’s west wing occupants were either moving to temporary offices in the east wing or in Williams Hall. Construction on the west wing is already underway and is expected to be completed by summer 2006.

PHOTO GALLERY (click to enlarge)