Now surpassing its original budget, the construction of Whitman College will cost the University a projected $110 million. The new figure is $10 million over its initial price tag.
After the architect of Whitman College, Demetri Porphyrios GS '74, unveiled his first designs, the University realized the project would be more expensive than originally planned.
Demolition on the Pagoda Tennis Courts — the site of the future residential college — began this month.
Vice President and Secretary Thomas Wright '62 said the fluctuation in the college's budget is not a surprise.
"This is a very normal part of the process of developing a construction project," Wright said. "We are working to design this building with contractors and subcontractors that will produce the building within the budget. We are confidant that we will be able to get bids."
The University has tried to secure reasonable bids during the last several months and will continue in the next few.
Finding the right bids has been difficult because Whitman College is an unusual project that requires unique building methods, Wright said.
"We are building it in a traditional way, not using current contemporary construction methods in all respects," Wright added.
Because contractors may not be familiar with the building methods, more cost can be incurred.
Instead of downsizing the plans, the University opted to retain the projected size of Whitman College and keep key features.
The writing program's offices will move to the new college, and a new theatre will be built on site.
Single rooms
However, what makes the sixth, four-year residential college distinct is its emphasis on single rooms.
"About 60 percent of the rooms will be singles," Wright said, including singles within suites. The college will include singles, two-room doubles and quads.
Underclassmen will have the option of living in three-room quads, while juniors and seniors will be able to draw into five-room quads.
"There will be more private bedrooms than other existing dormitories, but there will be a substantial number of quads for upperclassmen," Wright added.
Private rooms are stressed in the architectural plans of Whitman College in part because of the dialogue between the University and Meg Whitman '77, who provided a $30 million gift for its construction.
Whitman and the University worked together to create a vision for the residential college, said William Robinson '04, chair of the USG Undergraduate Life Committee.
"[Students] will have the best of both worlds," Robinson added. "All students need a place where they can have individual space."
In two to three months, the University will release an official announcement of the college's financial situation and the progress of its fundraising process, Vice President for Development Brian McDonald '83 said.
Though the budget for Whitman College has changed in the past few months, Wright said construction is still to begin as scheduled.
Read More
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ’03 ‘plagiarized’ small portions of his senior thesis, experts say. But how serious is it?
Sena ChangA review of the senior thesis of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ’03 by The Daily Princetonian, in consultation with three plagiarism experts, found eight instances of uncredited material, sham paraphrasing, and verbatim copying. According to the experts, each passage violated Princeton’s academic integrity policies but varied in severity.
A review of the senior thesis of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ’03 by The Daily Princetonian, in consultation with three plagiarism experts, found eight instances of uncredited material, sham paraphrasing, and verbatim copying. According to the experts, each passage violated Princeton’s academic integrity policies but varied in severity.
CPUC discusses University policy changes and classroom scheduling in final meeting of academic year
Cynthia TorresPresentations included minor changes to Title IX policy, Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies (ODUS) protest policies, and updates to the classroom scheduling process.
Presentations included minor changes to Title IX policy, Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies (ODUS) protest policies, and updates to the classroom scheduling process.
Federal funding cuts hit McCarter, Princeton University Concerts
Devon RudolphThe Trump administration announced plans to end the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) on May 2. Both the McCarter Theater and Princeton University Concerts have received notice that federally awarded NEA grants have been rescinded.
The Trump administration announced plans to end the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) on May 2. Both the McCarter Theater and Princeton University Concerts have received notice that federally awarded NEA grants have been rescinded.