2008 Woodie Awards
A look into the GMC
Nathanial Garrod
Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: News
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There are now tours being offered of the GMC on Tuesday afternoons at 3:30 p.m. I attended one of these tours on the Feb. 12.
The tours started on the edge of the vacant parking lot next to GMC. I am sure that the parking lot is not vacant by choice. Perhaps if it could, it would have more cars parking in it on a regular basis.
There was a mix of ages on the tour, stretching from elderly folk to college freshmen. Tour leader Floyd Ross, Executive Director for Operations, began the tour by stating that the project has been underway for about 11 years and is now getting close to the final stages.
After all, it is being anticipated that Schroeder Recital Hall, the more academic wing of the project, where the entire music department will be moving, is going to be ready for classroom activity by the Fall semester.
Yet with the opening of this building and its "smart classrooms," one has to consider the vast trek to the complete opposite side of the campus in order to attend classes, especially for those students who live on the far side of Sauvignon Village.
One can almost see the main room in Schroeder Recital Hall becoming the newer, more desirable version of Warren Auditorium in Ives Hall.
Schroeder recital hall has also been designed so that it will deflect sound away from the GMC.
During the tour, we walked through where the grand 100 square foot courtyard will be when GMC opens, then entered the hospitality wing of GMC, which will be used for a variety of events and activities.
Ross repeated stated the need for versatility throughout the buildings. The hospitality wing will be available to be rented out by those hosting wedding parties, conferences and a plethora of other events.