HAMILTON, N.Y. — Colgate University announced it will create a cohesive Lower Campus along Broad Street as part of the most significant campus expansion in its history, Colgate launched its comprehensive “Third-Century Plan” in 2019, flagging the completion of the Residential Commons system and the Lower Campus as initial priorities. First-year and second-year students currently […]
HAMILTON, N.Y. — Colgate University announced it will create a cohesive Lower Campus along Broad Street as part of the most significant campus expansion in its history,
Colgate launched its comprehensive “Third-Century Plan” in 2019, flagging the completion of the Residential Commons system and the Lower Campus as initial priorities. First-year and second-year students currently reside in one of the university’s Residential Commons on the campus hilltop. The plan will extend that residential-life experience for juniors and seniors by ensuring their living spaces provide the opportunity for community and the development for independence.
“Residential life at Colgate plays an important part in the education of our students,” VP and Dean of the College Paul McLoughlin said in the project announcement. “In their first and second years, they build community with their classmates. In their junior and senior years, we want that experience to continue even as they build the skills to live independently and to be good citizens after they graduate. I am so grateful for the gifts that have made it possible for Colgate to achieve this vision.”
At present, different forms of student housing, built over many decades, line Broad Street and College Street. While close to campus and each other, the buildings can seem distant from Colgate’s center.
The project will reenvision Broad Street with new residential units to help form an intentional campus neighborhood. Those new units will include Fox House at 70 Broad St. and Hurley House. The Social Center will host events, activities, and other programs.
Two large residences will be attached to the Social Center, and nearby, two studies will provide space for seminars, study, and other projects. A walk will form a common pathway and communal place throughout the lower campus, while a park area will provide green space located on an extension of Taylor Lake.
Robert A.M Stern Architects, along with other architects, will design the lower campus buildings. Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates will design the landscaping.
Renovations to Greek and theme houses will take place alongside the lower campus project construction. Work has already begun at 66 Broad St. and will continue this fall at 70 Broad St. where the current house will be demolished, and the new Fox House will be constructed.
Once complete, the new residential spaces will give all seniors and about half of the junior class the option to live in single rooms.
“This moment is of great significance for Colgate and will allow us to complete a 200-year-old campus,” Colgate President Brian W. Casey said. “These projects and the creation of a new part of the historic campus at Colgate will set the trajectory of Colgate for decades to come.”
Financial contributions to the project total $105 million and include a $50 million gift from Peter Kellner (1965 graduate), the largest single gift ever made to Colgate University. In addition, Jean-Pierre L. Conte (1985 alum) gave a $25 million donation to name the building that will anchor Lower Campus. Colgate also received $10 million gifts from Becky Hurley (1981 graduate) and Christopher Hurley (1981 alum), Robert Fox (1959 graduate), and Stephen Sprague (1972 alum).
Colgate launched “The Campaign for the Third Century” in 2022 with a goal to raise $1 billion.
