New College creates central connection

Until three months ago, New College of Florida classrooms were scattered all over campus. The students traveled between the far east and far west corners of the campus just to get to their classes and to meet with faculty members.

“The campus surrounds the Ringling Museum on all three sides,” says Andrew Walker, president of the New College Foundation. “Most students live east of (U.S.) 41, and they had to take the pedestrian overpass over 41, come past the library, and if they are fine-arts students, take a left to other side of campus, go past the museum and Asolo to the southern side of campus.”

A building created specifically for classroom and office use now houses two-thirds of the faculty all in one place, which makes it easy for students and faculty to meet and talk.

“The biggest qualitative difference is that collaboration has started among faculty because they are near each other again,” Walker says.

Among the many classrooms, the $11 million building features state-of-the-art amenities — including a classroom for art history and projection of digital imagery — plus intentionally designed study spaces. The classrooms double as hurricane shelters with a 140 mph wind load.

“Four years ago, we were having trouble continuing to maintain some of the older buildings on campus that were turned into classrooms and offices,” says New College President, Dr. Gordon “Mike” Michalson. “Frankly, I got tired of signing the go ahead for all of the repairs and asked our chief financial officer if there wasn’t a better way.”

Some campus buildings were built in the ’60s from organic material that had decomposed.

“We would have faculty get locked in their offices because the door would warp and we couldn’t open it,” Michalson said. “You get to a point where you’ve got to say, ‘OK … ’”

Since the building opened in August, students are already feeling more connected. Fourth-year student Oliver Peckham is pursuing a dual concentration in political science and environmental studies with a focus in economic and environmental policy.

“New College has to be dynamic and efficient with how it uses spaces,” Peckham says. “Doing more with less has always been a necessity of our practice. It does feel like academics are more central. The center has decreased the physical and the psychological distance between students and professors.”

As part of its $60 million New College Promise Campaign, which launched recently, the college is seeking a $5 million endowment to name the Academic Center. The college has already raised $15 million toward its campaign goal.

For information, call 487-4800.