Women’s studies moving out of Benson
October 23, 2008 by CAITLIN BYRNES
Filed under News
The Institute for Women’s Studies will move from the Benson Building to Gilbert Hall on North Campus, University officials announced Wednesday afternoon.
“I’m thrilled that this has finally happened,” said April Greene, co-head of Women’s Studies Student Organization. “We’ve been working really hard to make sure it stayed on the administration’s radar.”
After much discussion about the conditions of the Benson Building, Provost Arnett Mace said it would be too costly to repair and will be demolished rather than renovated.
The announcement to move has been long awaited by Institute for Women’s Studies faculty and students, who have been pushing for a new location for seven years.
“It is a move that has been long overdue,” said Joanna Randazzo, co-facilitator for the institute. “Now that women’s studies will be moved into a safe, functional space we can work on some really pressing issues like ensuring that getting a women’s center on campus is a priority for [University] President Adams.”
Women’s studies students upped their rally for relocation by drafting a petition of more than 700 signatures, protesting on campus and asking University President Michael Adams directly about the move.
“I’m not really surprised” by the outcome, Greene said. “I do feel like we put a lot of work into making sure that administration knew about the issue.”
Students and faculty said they believe the move is a major stepping stone for the program that will enable it to grow to a higher potential.
“I believe this marks a great step forward for women’s studies,” said Assistant Director Cecilia Herles.
“I think this new location on North Campus will encourage even more students to enroll in our classes and engage in strong interdisciplinary leadership.”
In the past, some students were discouraged from taking women’s studies classes because of the building’s distance from campus, Greene said.
The Gilbert Hall location will allow students and faculty better access to one another since the building will hold the entire department and is centrally located.
No date has been set for the move, said Chris Cuomo, director of the institute.
Also announced was the planned move of the College of Environmental Design and change in offices for The Georgia Review literary journal to the former Lamar Dodd art building.
“In the long run, the positive thing about the move is the location,” said College of Environment and Design Dean Daniel Nadenicek. “Right now we are on the top of the building [Caldwell] somewhat tucked away.”
Nadenicek said the old art classrooms are well suited to become environmental design studios because they have ample space and lighting.
Nadenicek said he hopes the announcement will allow an official fundraising campaign to begin.
In the long run, an environmental science building could unify the college, which now has four locations.
