What’s New at Hamilton?
New, Renovated & Future Spaces
Innovation Center Construction to Begin
This summer, the College unveiled plans for a cutting-edge facility designed to transform the academic experience on the Hill and spearhead the College’s comprehensive digital fluency initiative, Digital Hamilton. Preparatory work for the $50-million, 41,000-square-foot Innovation Center, which will be located between Burke Library and Taylor Science Center, is set to commence in early September and continue through the early fall before construction begins this winter. The building is expected to open for classes in early 2027.
Sage Rink Renovations
Sage Rink has undergone major renovations thanks to a $13-million investment by the College, including new exterior siding and roofing to address building envelope issues, mechanical and HVAC system improvements, a new ice and refrigeration system, and new state-of-the-art boards and glass. Additional fundraising initiatives are underway for new locker rooms and offices, seating enhancements, and a lobby addition and viewing gallery. Learn about the Next Stage for Sage.
Coming Soon: Cafe 95
An apartment on the first floor of 95 College Hill Road will soon be transformed into a study space and cafe for students on the East (“grey”) side of campus. Progress is being made toward offering a greater variety of foods, including more fresh options, than what had been offered previously in the now-closed Bundy Cafe. The space is expected to open later in the semester.
Labyrinth
The labyrinth, located behind Anderson-Connell and near Root Glen, is a gift from the Class of 2019 with support from other generous donors. Its circular winding path encourages and facilitates quiet contemplation for those who walk their way from beginning to end. Spending time in the labyrinth supports wellness by providing a break from the day, a tool for stress management, and an opportunity to work through challenges and decisions in our own winding journeys through life. Available to community members any time of day, the labyrinth will be another meaningful wellness resource for the Hamilton community.
Mailboxes Have Moved
New location, same friendly faces! The Mail Center has moved from the Beinecke Student Activities Village to the lower level of Bristol Campus Center. Student mailboxes and the stamp and package window have a new home. Student addresses will not change as a result of the move. The Amazon Locker on campus, Elyne, will remain in Beinecke.
Spaces with New Names
New Faces
See where he went and who he met during his first days on campus.
Programs, Initiatives & Advanced Academic Tools
Jewish Studies Minor
Students interested in exploring Jewish civilization over its 3,000-year history can pursue this new minor, which includes courses from across multiple disciplines and regions of the world. This enables students to understand the breadth and depth of Jewish culture and history, including the ancient roots of Jewish life and thought, the Jewish peoples’ dispersion across lands and continents, and the development of the variety of Jewish cultural and linguistic expressions and worlds. Jewish studies minors will have the opportunity to learn Hebrew, ancient and modern, and read biblical texts in the original Hebrew language.
Land Acknowledgment
Hamilton recently finalized its land acknowledgment, which was collaboratively written with the Oneida Indian Nation. The statement was first read during Commencement in May and again at Convocation just before Oneida Indian Nation Representative and Turning Stone Enterprises Chief Executive Officer Ray Halbritter offered a welcome to the Oneida Indian Nation’s ancestral and sovereign lands. He then presented President Tepper with an Oneida Indian Nation flag “that will represent our proud history and shared friendship at ceremonies like this for years to come.” The College’s collaborative efforts with the Oneida Indian Nation are ongoing.
Nikon AXR Microscope
“This kind of machine would be available to undergraduates of large (R1) institutions for sure, but is uncommon for schools of our size to have one (especially one of this caliber),” Martin said.
Information Kiosks in Burke
Telescope
Sustainability & Accessibility Highlights
President’s House
The president’s house – 11 College Hill Road – received major accessibility upgrades over the summer to ensure every member of the Hamilton community can be welcomed into the home. The residence, known as Davenport House, was a gift to the College from former Hamilton Professor Frederick M. Davenport. While this project is still in progress, renovations will be complete in time for President Tepper’s inauguration on Saturday, Sept. 28.
New EV Stations
In June, the College replaced all electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across campus with new ChargePoint Level 2 stations. This change, prompted mainly by the discontinuation of critical parts for the existing equipment and the impact on overall reliability, gave the College an opportunity to partner with the industry leader in advanced EV hardware.
These stations can charge an all-electric vehicle from empty to 80 percent in 4-10 hours and a plug-in hybrid EV in 1-2 hours. To cover operating costs and future expansion for this service, users are now charged a flat rate of $0.20 per kWh (approximately $5 for a 4-hour charging session). Learn more about the EV stations and download the ChargePoint app.
An Elevator for McEwen
An elevator installed in McEwen Dining Hall late last spring is among a number of recent accessibility improvements that have been made to Hamilton’s historic campus. The College prioritizes accessibility during every major renovation and new construction project, and it has also committed to budgeting an additional $500,000 each year, on average, for accessibility-related projects not associated with current major renovations.
Greening our Facilities Fleet
Among the many initiatives underway to advance the College’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, the Facilities Management team has developed plans to electrify the vehicle fleet on campus. The department recently purchased a number of hybrid and fully electric vehicles, as well as electric grounds equipment to usher in a new era of fleet management.
Kirkland Courtyard
The Kirkland Class of 1973 funded a circular bench and landscaped walking path nested between Minor, McIntosh, and Keehn residence halls. Additionally, the Kirkland Class of 1974 has funded a renovation of the recessed terrace adjacent to List referred to as the Kirkland Courtyard. These generous gifts help to enhance community experience on the south campus.
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Tepper’s Convocation Message: “Welcome Failure Alongside Success”
President Steven Tepper emphasized a message of optimism, and suggested students embrace a willingness to fail as Hamilton opened its 231st year with the traditional Convocation ceremony on Aug. 28.
Hamilton Extra: The Evolving Campus
For more than two centuries, the planners and caretakers of Hamilton’s campus have ensured that the facilities and grounds provide the ideal setting for living and learning at the highest level. The College has embarked on a comprehensive effort to develop a new master plan that will inform the next era of campus development. Here’s a look back at five historical eras that led to today’s Hamilton.
