All classes re-scheduled to meet in the new Media and Public Affairs building Monday will move in as planned, GW officials said.
“Word has gone out to faculty, all classes that were held in Hillel and the Marvin Center and 2020 K Street, their rooms will be ready,” said Craig Linebaugh, associate vice president for academic planning and special projects.
D.C. issued GW a partial Certificate of Occupancy Jan. 16 – the original open date – allowing the University to use the lower, main and third floors.
More than 80 classes were moved to Hillel, the Marvin Center and other campus buildings after construction on the new building at 21st and H streets was not completed in time for the start of spring semester classes.
Hillel rejected a University request to hold classes next week in a room it currently rents to accommodate displaced students, said Karen Krantweiss, Hillel director of Student Activities. She said the rooms are booked for events.
“We called (Hillel) to double check, there was one classroom I was a little concerned about that was the furthest behind,” Linebaugh said. “But I’ve been told by construction officials that it will be ready.”
All rooms on the lower and third floors, including a video conferencing room and conference rooms where classes are not scheduled, will be completely finished by Monday, said MPA Director of Operations Steve Siegel.
The fourth, fifth and sixth floors, which will house mostly offices and electronic media editing rooms, will not be complete, Siegel said. He said the contractor, Sigal Construction, has not provided a definite date for completion for those floors.
The Dimock Gallery is scheduled to move into the second floor Feb. 8.
Sophomore journalism major Caroline Colligen said she is excited about the new facility.
“I think it’s going to be a good addition to the school,” she said. “It will be nice to have some new technology.”
More classes are scheduled to move into the building throughout the semester, but only classes inconvenienced by the late opening will move in on Monday, Siegel said.
Construction crews are working this week to add finishing touches to the building, including painting work that was done Wednesday, Siegel said.
“There is always follow-up things,” he said. “There is no Super (Bowl) Sunday with this crew.”
