Construction Impacts on Residence Halls

Mandelle’s North and South sunrooms will be closed until further notice to allow completion of the window replacement project.

• Students may see construction staff entering and exiting the building through the sunroom doors, and may hear construction noise after 10am each day.

Construction will be ongoing from August 2025 - January 2026. Students may notice:

New Lounge & expanded Golden Pear construction

• Construction workers will be converting the Old Dining Hall to a new lounge space and expanded Golden Pear. While doing this work, construction workers will utilize non-student entrances and will be minimally present in existing common areas.

• Students may hear construction noise from approximately 7am - 4pm each day. The existing Golden Pear will remain open and available throughout this time.

Winter Break & Intersession 2025-2026

• Mead will be completely closed to all students from December 20, 2025 - January 20, 2026 while sprinkler system updates and attic and basement work is completed. Mead residents in need of Break and/or Intersession Housing will be provided alternative rooms during this time.

Early arrivals will notice geothermal valves being replaced outside of Porter Hall (between Safford and Porter Halls).

• Porter's front entrance (facing Mary Lyon's Grave) will be accessible during this time.
• Parking around Porter Hall may be limited during this time.

Updates and geothermal work will continue in the Rockies throughout Fall 2025.

Exterior & Accessible Entrances

• Work continues on a new accessible entrance to the east side of the building (facing Skinner Green). The accessible entrance on the west side of the building (facing Route 116) will remain available throughout this semester-long project.
• Fencing will remain up around the front of the Rockies as work continues. Parking and road closure updates will be shared with campus community members as they become available.

South Patio

• Updates and maintenance on the South Patio will be occurring throughout the fall semester. Students may see construction workers outside and around the porch.

Basement (Laundry, Trash, Trunk Rooms, and Corridor)

• The basement residential corridor will be completely blocked off throughout the semester.
• Students may access laundry facilities via elevator on the North side of the building, and can access the South laundry facilities via stairs. Additionally, students can utilize a temporary laundry room on the 1st floor (South) throughout this year.
• While the basement is off line, a temporary Trunk Room will be available on the first floor.

Skinner Green will be under construction from mid-September to mid-October, with portions partitioned off until mid-November.

• Residence Halls surrounding the green may notice construction noise throughout this time.
• The majority of Skinner Green will be available for use.

Geothermal Project Work

• The geothermal piping installed in Lower Lake Road during summer 2025 will be routed to Torrey Hall in Fall 2025.
• As this work is completed, the front entrance and driveway to Torrey will be inaccessible to all students from late September - late November. The lounge and Old Dining Room entrances will remain available throughout this time.
• Lyon’s Lift pick-up point at Torrey Hall will be relocated to Kendall Athletic Center for the duration of this work.

Early Arrivals will experience minor work throughout the building, such as:

• Electricians utilizing ladders and hand tools between 7am and 6pm, until August 26

If you have questions or need clarification of any of the above infromation, please be in touch with Residential Life (res-life@mtholyoke.edu) who will point you to the apprioriate point person.

If you are a student with a disability for whom this will create a disability-related access need, please schedule an appointment with Disability Services (disability-services@mtholyoke.edu) to discuss what you will need during this time.