Frequently Asked Questions

When was the current Science Center built?

In 1967. St. Olaf had about 2,600 students when the Science Center was new. Today, we have 3,000 students, and about 40 percent choose at least one major or concentration in the sciences or mathematics.

Why has the current Science Center outlived its usefulness?

The departments and concentrations that make up the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics - biology, biomedical studies, biomolecular science, chemistry, computer science, environmental studies, mathematics, neuroscience, psychology, physics and statistics - are scattered across campus in three buildings.

  • Teaching and computer labs are overcrowded, lacking the space necessary for modern, investigative and project-based learning.
  • Valuable equipment has no dedicated space, making it difficult for multiple users to share equipment. Virtually no space is left for new equipment.
  • Research space is insufficient to support our thriving undergraduate research programs.
  • Support spaces are overcrowded as renovations have converted them to program and equipment spaces to accommodate the growing program.

Why can't we renovate and upgrade the current building?

That option has been thoroughly considered twice. The add/renovate option for the current Science Center is not much less expensive than Regents Hall of Natural and Mathematical Sciences. Science buildings are expensive regardless of whether they are new spaces or renovated spaces. But adding on and renovating are more complicated than they may appear.

  • The add/renovate option hampers our ability to design space to meet the integrated and interactive nature of science education in the 21st century.
  • Most existing science buildings on college or university campuses don't have enough space between adjacent floors. Our current building has 12 feet of floor-to-floor height, compared with 16 feet in modern science buildings. We need room for all the ventilation and ductwork that has to go between floors.

How was the Flaten Hall site chosen?

The Flaten Hall site was chosen after careful consideration of several other sites on campus. It offers the advantage of allowing Regents Hall to be built into a hillside, which will make it seem smaller from the campus side, and it is nicely located next to Old Music Hall, which allows a relatively short connector between the two portions of the complex.

Will Old Music Hall be renovated and what will the building be used for?

Old Music will be fully renovated once faculty have moved into Phase One of the new portion of Regents Hall. Math, statistics and computer science will occupy Old Music Hall after it is renovated.

What is the reason for the connector between Old Music Hall and the new building?

With the lab-based natural sciences in the new building and math, statistics and computer science in renovated Old Music Hall, the connector was developed as a way of bringing the entire Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics together under one roof.

What will be inside of the connector?

As plans developed, the connector evolved from a rather simple enclosed hallway to a program-filled space for computational classrooms and labs as well as the Center for Interdisciplinary Research.

What will happen to the current Science Center when Regents Hall of Natural and Mathematical Sciences is complete?

A framework planning committee on campus is considering every option.

What happened to Manitou Cottage, Flaten Hall and the Art Barn?

Manitou Cottage was taken down after extensive efforts to find a suitable place for relocation. Flaten Hall was deconstructed in a fashion that recycled most of the materials. The Art Barn has been deconstructed to preserve the unique woodcarvings, murals and art pieces, and at some point will be reconstructed on another site.

What happened to the academic programs that were located in the Art Barn, Center for Experiential Learning (CEL) trailer, Flaten Hall, Manitou Cottage and Old Main Annex?

Here is a summary of the relocations:

Asian Studies Department Steensland Hall
Academic Support Center Modular Village
Center for Experiential Learning Modular Village
Center for Lifelong Learning Skifter Building
Counseling Center Boe House
Education Department Modular Village
International & Off-Campus Studies Steensland Hall
Oslo International Summer School Old Main 10
TRiO/Educational Opportunity Programs Modular Village
World Languages Center Rølvaag Memorial Library

 

What will happen to the roads around the building and on other parts of campus?

A new roadway now circles behind the site of Regents Hall and continues behind Old Main, hooking into St. Olaf Avenue at the three-way split that currently exists at its west end. The "sliding hill" and view of Old Main from Lincoln Street, both of which are important to the town of Northfield, have not been jeopardized. When the Science Complex is done, Old Main will stand out spectacularly and will sit at the end of a campus green. Also, Old Music Hall will be more prominent.

What happened to the forested areas on either side of the staircases leading to Old Main?

The forested areas still exist and were minimally disrupted.

How has Norway Valley been affected?

The new roadway runs through a small piece of Norway Valley. However, the impact on the valley is minimized by thoughtful use of retaining walls. On balance, most seem to think that the disturbance to a small piece of Norway Valley is an acceptable price for the benefit of returning the southeast campus to a pedestrian-friendly green space.