Warch Campus Center Collection

Collection

Identifier: LU-RG08-011

Staff Only

This collection consists of materials documenting the planning and building of the Warch Campus Center, which opened in the fall of 2009. Subject files concerning various aspects of the project, including publicity, communications with the neighborhood, the building of the land bridge and river walk, accompanying Sage Hall renovations, and the LEED certification process, make up the bulk of the collection. Architectural project manuals, month end construction reports, and planning committee records are also included.

Dates

2000-2011

Creator

Lawrence University (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Lawrence University does not hold the copyright for all materials in this collection. Uses beyond those allowed for fair use under U. S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) require the researcher to secure permission from the copyright holder.

Extent

3.10 Linear Feet (4 boxes and 2 oversize folders)

Additional Description

Biographical or Historical Information

The Warch Campus Center is a $35 million, 107,000 square-foot facility that opened on the Lawrence campus in September of 2009. The idea to build a central gathering place for the campus to replace the Memorial Union (built in the 1950s) was first discussed by the Board of Trustees in 1988. At that time, the project was deferred in the interests of addressing other academic facility needs. In the late 1990s, the Task Force on Residential Life developed a report which listed building a new campus center as one of their recommendations. The Board of Trustees approved this recommendation and a Campus Center Planning Committee composed of students, faculty, and staff was subsequently formed in 2000-2002. It was during this round of planning that the Hulbert House site overlooking the river was chosen for the new building. In May of 2002, the trustees voted again to pause in the planning of the center due to concerns about the size, scope and cost of the project. The trustees voted to resume the project in January of 2005, working with Uihlein-Wilson architects. A new Campus Center Planning Committee was formed to provide input and guidance in the selection of floor plans, finishing and furniture, external design, and LEED certification and environmental features. Construction began in 2007. The project received an unexpected boost from a $16 million anonymous donation in 2007, the largest gift in Lawrence history. The donor elected to name the center in honor of Richard and Margot Warch. The center was the largest building project in Lawrence history. Several construction projects accompanied the building of the center, including the Hurvis Crossing land bridge and river walk area. The center was awarded LEED Gold certification in November of 2009.

Arrangement Note

This collection is arranged in 3 series. Series 1. Planning materials and manuals, 2000-2009. 1 linear ft. Series 2. Subject files, 2005-2011. 1 linear ft. Series 3. Construction files, 2006-2009. 0.6 linear ft.

Method of Acquisition

Records donated to the Archives by Lynn Hagee, Campus Center project coordinator, in three separate accessions from 2009-2011. An existing collection of Campus Planning Committee (2000-2001) records donated to the Archives prior to 2005 was integrated into the collection. Vertical file folder material (newspaper articles, email announcements, and photographs) was also integrated.