Carlson Hall Renovation

At the March 7th, 2012 meeting of the College of Letters & Sciences Administrative Council, a majority vote was passed to rename Carlson Hall.  The new name that was approved is Laurentide Hall.  This name follows the naming convention used for numerous buildings on campus that are name after glacial landscape features (Moraine, Drumlin, Esker).  The Laurentide Icesheet was the massive icesheet that covered large portions of N. America, including Wisconsin, during the most recent glacial advance until about 10,000 years ago. When the icesheet retreated it left behind many of the aforementioned post-glacial landscape features that surround the Whitewater area.  Thus, the Laurentide Icesheet is the foundational cause for the existence of these glacial features.  Symbolically, the College of Letters & Sciences provides the foundation for success on the UW-W campus through the general education program which is primarily based in this college and supports all students in their respective majors.  We think this name makes perfect sense!

The renaming request to Laurentide Hall will be brought for approval before the UW System Board of Regents at their next meeting on April 12-13th and hopefully be made official at that time.  We are very excited about the new name of our soon-to-be new home!

Stay tuned for more updates!  The construction project continues to stay on schedule with plans for completion still slated for late summer.

Much of the interior demolition process has already been completed and substantial progress has been made on removing portions of the exterior of the building as well.  All indications at this point are that this ambitious construction project is on schedule.  The outstanding winter weather that we’ve had during the past month has definitely helped!  I’m very impressed at the organization and productivity of the various construction crews that are working on this project. Hoping we can keep things going at this pace!

During the past week or two you might have noticed work crews setting up trailers around Carlson. This type of activity will continue over the next few weeks as work crews get their equipment set up, fencing is put up, and signs are posted to inform passersby of the work underway.   This is the beginning of the long-awaited renovation of the building.  It is slated to be a 9-month project with work wrapping sometime in August.  If all goes well and they stay on schedule we should be able to move into the renovated facility just before fall semester classes begin in 2012.

Now that we know this is really happening (!), I will be posting regular progress updates here every few weeks throughout the construction period along with occasional interesting tidbits about the building.  Feel free to offer your own observations or ask questions that may come up along the way.

This promises to be a very exciting period for the College of Letters & Sciences as we anticipate moving into our newly renovated building next year!

David Travis

We’re received word that the funding for the Carlson Renovation has now been approved by the Building Commission.  We look forward to this hopefully becoming official when the Joint Finance Committee meets in May.  Stay tuned for further updates and pictures!

Welcome to our new website for news and information about the renovation of Carlson Hall. Now that Carlson Hall is vacant, our campus is exploring options and engaging in the preliminary design phase for the renovation. When complete, Carlson Hall will be the next great academic building for the College of Letters & Sciences.

Please explore our site for news and information. You will also find an electronic form where you can submit comments, ideas, and suggestions for the renovation.

Stay tuned!