There was one major change when students arrived at Goucher this fall\u2014a new campus map\u2014as all three Froelicher residence halls were successfully relocated this summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey should put that on the History Channel,\u201d remarked the father of Ryland Collinson \u201921, while helping his son move into the recently relocated Alcock building.<\/p>\n
While some new students might not have been aware of the large-scale construction effort, more than one hundred first-year students moved into Alcock and Gallagher in August, after the two residence halls rolled more than 500 feet across campus to new foundations. Tuttle moved to its new location as well, despite sustaining damage when\u00a0it was lifted from its foundation, and will reopen to students in Fall 2018 once repairs are completed.<\/p>\n
\u201cInnovation underscores our approach to every- thing here at Goucher and moving Froelicher was no exception,\u201d said President Jose\u0301 Antonio Bowen.<\/p>\n
The relocation of Froelicher Hall marks one of the largest and fastest building relocations to ever take place on a college campus. Each of the residence halls weighed nearly 1,200 tons and took two days each to cross the loop road.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are a green campus. We take that very seriously and it is important to us,\u201d said Terence McCann, director of facilities management services. \u201cThis is a very sustainable approach.\u201d Not only have the buildings been reused, but wherever possible Butler stone and other building materials were saved and used throughout the relocation process.<\/p>\n
Goucher\u2019s innovative initiative to preserve and reuse the student housing for future generations was recognized by Maryland\u2019s The Daily Record and the college was once again named \u201cInnovator of the Year\u201d by the publication.<\/p>\n
\u201cInnovators are constantly creating, improving, and creating again. They make a huge difference in people\u2019s lives, in the economy, and in the success\u00a0of our region,\u201d said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, publisher of The Daily Record.<\/p>\n
The Froelicher Hall move makes way for the expansion of the new first-year village that is designed to strengthen community and allow faculty to live on campus. Construction for two additional first-year residence halls will begin this fall. Currently referred to as buildings B and C, the new buildings will be built adjacent to the new Pagliaro Selz Hall and will create a courtyard between the three buildings.<\/p>\n
Designed for integrative learning, the first-year village architecture is focused on creating social experiences for students so that they become more engaged and involved with classmates and activities on campus. The New York Times columnist Frank Bruni highlighted Goucher\u2019s innovative design-thinking when mentioning the new first-year village project in a recent story. Plans for the new residence halls include a rehearsal space and demonstration kitchen for the more than 250 students who will be living in the two buildings.<\/p>\n
First-year students will live close to the center of campus, directly adjacent to the Decker Sports and Recreation Center and the new centralized dining facility in Mary Fisher Hall. The two new first-year residence halls and the renovated Mary Fisher Hall are scheduled to open in Fall 2018.<\/p>\n