Student Life Building and Greenbaum Center construction FAQs

The new Student Life Building reflects the needs of a changing student population while addressing many of the space limitations on River Campus. The Interfaith Chapel was built in 1970 to serve about 4,000 undergraduates and primarily three religious traditions. The campus has grown far more diverse since then and demand for space has outgrown what the Chapel can hold. This new facility, along with the Mack Catholic Center, addresses that space constraint and adds needed student life spaces on campus. 

Construction fencing and site work will begin around Library Lot the week of August 3, 2026, increasing construction activity in the area. Roughly half of the Library Lot will be used for staging, continuing through summer 2027. 

Yes, if you already hold a Library Lot permit. The majority of Library Lot permit holders will experience few disruptions during the construction period. No additional Library Lot permits will be issued during construction. 

Please continue parking in your assigned lot and walk or take a shuttle bus to the library rather than using Library Lot.

Yes. Library Lot will retain dedicated parking spots for University Health Service (UHS) appointments throughout construction. 

Alternative spaces are being identified to accommodate events that typically rely on Library Lot. Please check the Transportation and Logistics page for updates. 

Fencing goes up the week of August 3, 2026, followed by site demolition around August 10 and digging the week of August 24. The ceremonial groundbreaking is planned for October 1, 2026.

Construction weekday hours will be between 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. During Student Move-in and related new student activities, the noise level of the work will be monitored, along with truck movements and traffic to minimize the impact on Welcome Week and Move-In. Work will be complete for the day before New Student Convocation begins on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

Some trees will need to be removed to prepare the site for the new building. We recognize that changes to the campus landscape are meaningful to many members of our community and every effort is made to keep the number of removed trees to a minimum. Per Facility’s policy, any tree that is removed due to the construction process will be replaced with the planting of a new tree.  Additionally, the building’s proposed patio and terrace will incorporate new mature trees and thoughtfully selected plantings, enhancing the natural character and creating a more inviting outdoor space. 

The Student Life portion of the building is being funded by the University through fundraising and other means as an investment in the student experience. The Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life is funded through donor funds. Lead gifts from University Trustee David Greenbaum ’73 and his wife, Laureine, launched the fundraising, with additional donors contributing to the effort. To learn about supporting the project, visit the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life donor page.

Regular updates will go to affected groups, including parking permit holders, UHS, and library event organizers, and the University’s Capital Construction Project page will stay current with the latest information.