2008 Woodie Awards
Farewell, French-Italian House
Oliver Cranin
Issue date: 4/22/05 Section: News
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It comes as a great surprise to the Colgate community that the French-Italian House will be closing after this semester. The gray house on the hill, which was founded as the French House 33 years ago, will become the new Center for Research, Learning and Teaching.
Over the years, the house has been an integral part of the Colgate experience for students and professors. Professors have used the house to hold class, dinners and other activities in a cozy atmosphere. Students have built relationships based on common interests, learned from one another and had a lot of fun.
"I think it's very important to have this kind of house on campus," senior house member Alix Quinn said, "as it lets students with an interest in the French and Italian languages and cultures to live together and plan activities in the house that other students on campus can participate in."
The closing has come as a shock to house members and professors alike, many of whom have expressed sadness and frustration about the situation.
"What does Colgate's constant song and dance about diversity really mean when it is taking away, rather than attempting to strengthen, one of the campus's most wonderful environments for cultural learning?" senior house member Bridget Ryan said.
The administration decided to turn the house into the Center for Research, Learning and Teaching without conferring with students or professors.
"What is really a shame was the abrupt ultimatum we received about the closing of the house without any discussion or debate involved," senior house member Annabel Truesdell said. "[The decision] was extremely quiet and not publicly known, so no one had much chance to express an opinion."
Upon hearing the decision, students and professors were left confused, as the house has been so successful for so long. No one knew what was going into the space, why the change was taking place or who made the decision.
Dean of the College Adam Weinberg explained that student interest in the French-Italian house has decreased, especially over the past few years, so the administrative faculty decided to use the space in a way that would better serve the needs of the student body. Meanwhile, the administration plans to work with faculty members to sustain the cultural and international atmosphere that the French-Italian house has created on campus.
Over the years, the house has been an integral part of the Colgate experience for students and professors. Professors have used the house to hold class, dinners and other activities in a cozy atmosphere. Students have built relationships based on common interests, learned from one another and had a lot of fun.
"I think it's very important to have this kind of house on campus," senior house member Alix Quinn said, "as it lets students with an interest in the French and Italian languages and cultures to live together and plan activities in the house that other students on campus can participate in."
The closing has come as a shock to house members and professors alike, many of whom have expressed sadness and frustration about the situation.
"What does Colgate's constant song and dance about diversity really mean when it is taking away, rather than attempting to strengthen, one of the campus's most wonderful environments for cultural learning?" senior house member Bridget Ryan said.
The administration decided to turn the house into the Center for Research, Learning and Teaching without conferring with students or professors.
"What is really a shame was the abrupt ultimatum we received about the closing of the house without any discussion or debate involved," senior house member Annabel Truesdell said. "[The decision] was extremely quiet and not publicly known, so no one had much chance to express an opinion."
Upon hearing the decision, students and professors were left confused, as the house has been so successful for so long. No one knew what was going into the space, why the change was taking place or who made the decision.
Dean of the College Adam Weinberg explained that student interest in the French-Italian house has decreased, especially over the past few years, so the administrative faculty decided to use the space in a way that would better serve the needs of the student body. Meanwhile, the administration plans to work with faculty members to sustain the cultural and international atmosphere that the French-Italian house has created on campus.