The Observer, November 18, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11
Alumni House planned on Euclid
To provide a place for Case alumni to return to, a new Alumni House will be built on Northside in Mather Quad.
"Case is one of a few universities that does not have a facility for alumni to return to," Dan Clancy, Special Assistant to the Vice President said. "Alumni have talked about having an Alumni House for many years. The university administration has recognized the importance of having such a facility on campus for alumni to use."
According to Clancy, the Alumni House is aimed at providing a home away from home for alumni visiting campus. In addition, the House is also a way to bring together alumni from Flora Stone Mather College and Western Reserve University.
The building will measure between 15,000 and 20,000 square feet. The placement of the building in Mather Quad, next to Thwing, was an idea provided by a Case alum.
"Alumni suggested a location on campus that would be central and near students," Clancy said. "This location is central, near students and easily accessable for alumni and other visitors."
The new House will include numerous facilities to ensure versatility. It will have rooms varying from a pub to an alumni "wall of fame" to conference rooms, according to the Case website. Not many offices for Case administration will be available within the building.
"The only offices that will be in the Alumni House will be for the staff of the Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve University," Clancy said.
The meeting and conference rooms as well as the office space will be available for alumni use. There will also be a "Great Room" that holds up to 200 people and can be used as a banquet hall.
The rooms will not just be available to alumni. While the purpose of the building is to provide a place for alumni on campus, the rooms will also be available to students to reserve. "Current students will be able to meet with alumni here, and will be able to use the meeting space for their own purposes," Clancy said.
Funding for the construction of the new building will be provided by donations.
"Construction will begin when the money is raised to cover the cost. [The] campaign is for $10 million, and almost $6 million has been committed from alumni and friends," Clancy said.
Case hopes to receive enough donations by July 1, 2006 and then to have construction of the building completed in 2008 or 2009.
The Alumni House will be a benefit for both alumni and current students in the long term. "Current students are students for a short time, but alumni for a lifetime," Clancy said.
