FM Building Random Doors All Over Campus

First-year Tucker Fields was among the first students to use this door on Mac Field.

CAMPUS- Despite student concerns about the construction of a door between Cleveland Lounge and the neighboring computer lab, Facilities Management (FM) is moving forward with plans to randomly build more doors all over campus.

The plan calls for at least 30 new doorway facilities, with an option to double that number over the next three years, depending on budget constraints. FM is cautiously optimistic about the project in light of the ongoing construction of the fieldhouse and natatorium, which will add a combined 72 doors to campus when they are completed. FM is also excited that their doors will not be limited to one department, but will be installed throughout campus buildings and even outdoors, where they will be accessible to the entire community.

“We wanted to do something not only highly visible, but open to everyone,” said FM Director Katherine Lowell. “So we picked a few random spots that weren't too close to each other around campus and just started building.”

FM hired world-renowned architects to design the doors, which will reflect a mix of old and new styles such as Art Deco, Functionalism, Riot-Proof, and of course, Collegiate Gothic. Doors in each style are planned for such diverse locations as the Email Lounge of the JRC, Kistle Science Library, and southeast MacEachron Field. FM has already started a revolving door in the Bucksbaum rotunda, and Osgood is currently in talks with famous architect Cesar Pelli to design a Bauhaus-influenced double-door on the railroad tracks over the summer.

Some students are concerned about the impact the doors will have on student life. Lyle's Pub workers have complained about the 3-inch steel vault door in front of the jukebox, and the Computer Science department has been criticized for the new “Star Trek” doors opening the third floor of Noyce to the space above 8th Avenue.

“I walked into the study area above the Grill and I almost tripped over the new saloon-style swinging doors,” said Penelope Schune '12. “I just don't like that they didn't tell anyone they were building them, and they just appeared overnight.”

Schune also wondered why FM was limiting construction to only doors and not including other possible entryways.

“Couldn't they put up a few curtains by the swings outside the JRC? Maybe some beads by the North Campus loggia? Doors just get redundant after a while,” Schune said.

Other students, such as Daniel Fursch '10, are worried about control over locking the doors. “I don't like that Student Affairs thinks they can just lock me out of Mac Field when they feel like it, “said Fursch. “I mean, they already said that about Cleveland Lounge, and Security says they can't even prove there's actually a problem there.”