Our Campuses: Midtown and Westside
Midtown campus
Alumni Hall
Formerly the St. Nicholas Byzantine Church, Alumni Hall was purchased by
WestConn in 1996. Since its acquisition, the 8,434 square-foot building
has been used as a multi-purpose lecture and exhibition facility, and it
serves as a small theater for concerts and readings. Alumni Hall also is
home to the Office of Planning and Engineering, as well as The WCSU
Child Care Center, which opened in 1997.
Berkshire
Hall
Berkshire Hall, totaling more than 84,796 square feet, sits on the
northern end of the Midtown campus. In addition to classrooms and
faculty offices, Berkshire houses the Bill Williams Gymnasium, a weight
room, and two theaters: the 588-seat Berkshire Theatre, which features
the Theatre Department's larger productions, and the Rich Reimold
Theatre, used for smaller shows and staged readings.
Berkshire also houses various academic departments including English,
writing, linguistics, communications, theatre arts, and health promotion
and exercise sciences, as well as tutoring labs including foreign
language, math and computer science, study skills and writing.
Centennial
Grove
The grove
features a semi-circular paved plaza defined by a low fieldstone wall, a
lighted planting bed and six cast-in-place benches. At the head of the
plaza is a fieldstone monolith with a bronze plaque commemorating the
University's first centennial. Beneath the monolith is a vault
containing a time capsule for future historians. This outdoor area
serves as a serene location for student browsing, contemplation,
reading, etc.
Fairfield
Hall
Fairfield Hall was WestConn’s first residence hall. Built in 1917, the
hall then accommodated 84 students; in 1957, the facility was renovated
and 46 units were added. Over the years, the now 34,771-square-foot hall
has remained a female-only residence hall, which houses several lounge
and study areas furnished with pool tables, cable television,
recreational equipment and kitchenettes. The building also contains a
laundry facility, vending machines and an information desk. One of the
building’s most distinguishing features is the cupola atop the building,
which is featured in the university’s logo.
This residence hall is currently off-line for student housing during the 2007-08 academic year, as major renovations and upgrades to the facility are underway. It is scheduled to re-open in Fall 2008.
Fifth Avenue
Parking Garage
Recently
completed in the fall of 2006, this pre-cast parking garage is located
on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Osborne Street. This facility
accommodates 800 cars on its four levels and is equipped with
surveillance cameras and emergency phone system.
Haas Library
This six-level library was named after former Western Connecticut State
College president Dr. Ruth A. Haas, the first woman to be elected
president of a four-year college in the United States.
Originally
built in 1969, a $19.8-million expansion project in 2000 funded an
addition and renovation that more than doubled the size of the library
to 113,021 square feet. The combined holdings of the Haas Library and
the Robert S. Young Library (located in the Westside Classroom Building)
include more than 215,000 volumes and more than 480,000 microforms,
government documents, and electronic and audio-visual resources.
Throughout the school year, the library’s CyberCafe and fifth-floor
meeting room host poetry readings, concerts, films and lectures.
Higgins
Hall/Higgins Hall Annex
Built in 1950, Higgins Hall was named in honor of Lothrop D. Higgins, a
science professor who became the school's second principal while the
university was known as Danbury State Normal School. In 1964, an
addition called Higgins Annex was added to Higgins Hall, nearly doubling
the size of the building to more than 85,674 square feet. In addition to
classrooms and faculty offices, Higgins houses the Academic Advisement
Center, an art gallery and the School of Visual and Performing Arts.
Litchfield
Hall
Constructed in the 1960s, Litchfield Hall, at 53,357 square feet,
accommodates about 240 students and is one of two co-educational
residence halls on the Midtown campus. Litchfield’s “open square” design
makes it a unique building on campus. The residence hall’s center offers
a courtyard and a small pond.
Litchfield includes several lounge and study areas furnished with pool
tables, cable television, recreational equipment and kitchenettes. The
building also contains a laundry facility, vending machines and an
information desk. Litchfield also houses University Health Services in a
2,700-square-foot addition that was built in 1991 to serve campus
medical needs.
Midtown Quad
The Midtown
Quad, with its series of connecting landscaped pedestrian walkways,
benches and street lamps that light they way to the various buildings
surrounding this park-like setting, serves as a venue for celebrations
and events. Students use the Quad daily for activities from tossing a
frisbee to finding a quiet place to study or relax outdoors.
Newbury Hall
Newbury Hall is one of two co-educational residence halls on the Midtown
campus. Built in 1969, this residence hall accommodates about 230
students, mainly in double-occupancy rooms. At five stories high, the
60,158-square-foot Newbury is the tallest of the Midtown campus
residence halls. Many rooms offer a view of the Midtown campus.
Newbury houses a large, multi-purpose lounge and several study and
lounge areas furnished with pool tables, cable television, recreational
equipment and kitchenettes. The building also contains laundry
facilities, a study lounge, vending machines and an information desk.
Newbury also is home to the Housing and Residence Life Office.
Old Main
In 1903, when state legislators allocated funding for the creation of
WestConn (then called Danbury Normal School), Danbury native Alexander
White donated three acres of land to the state for the school's site.
Old Main, constructed in 1904, was built on that land.
Today, at 42,207 square feet, the renovated Old Main building houses
student-oriented administrative services that include the offices of the
Registrar, Cashier, Financial Aid and Veteran's Affairs. Also located in
Old Main are Student Affairs, WestConnect Office (I.D. and access card
services), University Relations, University Publications and Design and
the University Print Shop. As the home of Information Technology & Innovation, Old Main
also is the focal point for the University's networking and
telecommunications systems.
Police
Department/Energy Plant
The red brick building on Roberts Avenue is home to WestConn’s Police
Department and energy plant. In 1952, the structure housed the college’s
central heating and hot water plant. The building was expanded to
include the university police station in 1955. Years later, a second
story was added, enlarging the building to 10,773 square feet.
WestConn’s University Trades and Minor Capital Projects Department and
maintenance garage are also located in the facility.
Science Building
Completed in
2005, this new 122,000 sq. ft. science building houses the biology,
chemistry, physics, astronomy and meteorology departments. The facility
includes classrooms, lecture auditoria, a greenhouse, an observatory,
the WCSU Weather Center and research laboratories, including the
Boehringer Ingleheim Biochemistry Lab. This "green" building was the
first state-funded building project to seek LEED silver certification
from the U.S. Green Building Council, an organization which promotes the
design and construction of environmentally responsible and sustainable
buildings.
The Student
Center
The Student
Center, constructed in 1959, was originally called Memorial Hall. After
a four-year renovation and addition project that doubled the building
size to more than 71,880 square feet, the Student Center re-opened in
1998. The facility now features a multi-purpose, 170-occupancy theater,
a game room equipped with pool tables, a 24-hour computer lab, a
student technology training center, as well as student and faculty
dining halls and a snack bar. This building also houses student-related
administrative offices such as the Student Government Association, The
Echo, the university's student-operated newspaper, the University
Information Center; WestConn Christian Ministry; and WXCI 91.7 FM, the
student-operated campus radio station.
Additional student services located in the Student Center are the
WestConn Bookstore, Career Development Center, AccessAbility Services,
Catholic Campus Ministry, Counseling Center, Greek Council, Mail
Services, the Inter-Cultural Resource Center, Program Activities
Council, and the Student Center Board.
University
Hall
A
four-level, 20,302 square-foot office building, University Hall was
purchased during the early months of 1996. Fully renovated in 2000,
University Hall now houses administrative offices such as Finance and
Administration, Institutional Advancement, Human Resources,
Administrative Services, Environmental & Facilities Services, Academic
Affairs and the Office of the President.
Warner Hall
Added to the Midtown campus in 1999, this building was named for Dr.
Truman A. Warner, professor emeritus of anthropology and history. The
design and architecture of the 34,078-square-foot building was carefully
planned to blend with the rest of the Midtown campus, incorporating many
aesthetic elements from the two oldest buildings, Old Main and Fairfield
Hall. A red brick facade complements the other Midtown structures, while
its arched window design echoes that of the Haas Library. Warner Hall
houses the Office of the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences,
classrooms, and offices for the history, social sciences and psychology
departments and grant programs. The first floor of Warner offers public
meeting and lounge spaces, conference rooms, and includes a small food
services' facility for catering large gatherings.
White Hall
Once the home of Danbury's high school, White Hall was purchased by the
university in 1964. Built in 1925, the building was named in honor of
Alexander White, a Danbury native and the school’s original benefactor.
Today, White Hall serves as a multi-purpose academic building. The
133,869 sq. ft. facility includes computer and non-computer classrooms,
journalism, graphics, and nursing laboratories, as well as MFA studios.
White Hall is home to the Office of the Dean of Professional Studies,
Media Services' department, and Ives Concert Hall, a facility utilized
by student and academic departments for recitals, lectures, ceremonies
and various cultural events. Also located in White Hall is The Jane
Goodall Center for Excellence in Environmental Studies, a collaborative
effort between The Jane Goodall Institute and the University, offering
environmental interdisciplinary programs for students, educators and the
community.
White Street
Parking Garage
WestConn's three-story Midtown parking garage opened in May 1996,
expanding the school's parking facilities by more than 900 spaces.
The garage features an enclosed pedestrian bridge that spans White Street, allowing students, faculty and staff to cross safely. The garage has two elevators, one at each end of the bridge. Equipped with surveillance cameras and emergency telephones, the facility is patrolled night and day by the WestConn police.
Athletic
Fields and Tennis Courts
Outdoor
athletic facilities include soccer and rugby practice fields, baseball
and softball fields and six tennis courts.
Athletics
Complex
Completed in 2004, the Athletics Complex includes a 24,000-square-foot
SprintTurf field where the Colonials play their home football and soccer
games. The stadium also houses an outdoor facility that seats
approximately 2,500 spectators and is equipped with a press box,
concession area (operated by Sodexho Dining Services), and restrooms.
The graduation commencement exercises are held at this facility.
Centennial
Hall & Parking Garage
This 350-bed
residence hall and 425-car parking garage opened in the fall of 2004.
The bedroom suites include a living/study area, bathroom(s), and a small
kitchen area, which accommodate four to seven students. The 131,038
sq. ft. facility includes community laundering facilities, a large
lounge area, a computer technology lab, a fitness center, game room and
vending machine area.
Centennial Hall received an Award of Merit in the 2005 Connecticut Building Congress Project Team Award for a project in the "above $10 million construction cost" category, as well as a LEED certificate from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Grasso Hall
Named in honor of the former governor of Connecticut, Ella Grasso Hall
is one of three apartment-style residence halls on the Westside campus.
Completed in 1983, this 78,811- square-foot building accommodates 369
upper-class students. Each suite contains two double-occupancy bedrooms,
one bathroom, a living room and a kitchen area. Grasso Hall also houses
a large, multi-purpose lounge furnished with pool tables, a piano and a
large-screen television. Laundry facilities also are available.
Ives
Concert Park
Run jointly by the City of Danbury and WestConn, the Ives Concert Park
is a 40-acre site on the Westside campus that is used for outdoor events
such as concerts and shows. At the heart of this facility are a pond and
a 2,500-square-foot gazebo used as a stage for performances.
O'Neill
Athletic and Convocation Center
Completed in 1995, the 167,581-square-foot William O'Neill Athletic and
Convocation Center acts as a multi-purpose athletic facility for the
Westside Campus and houses many of WestConn's athletic and recreational
offices for the baseball, basketball (men's and women's), softball,
swimming, tennis and volleyball teams. Equipped with a weight room,
swimming pool and locker rooms, the O'Neill Center also contains the
Feldman Arena, where WestConn's basketball and volleyball teams hold
home competitions. The arena can seat 4,500 spectators and is often used
for concerts, keynote speakers and a variety of college shows. The
O'Neill Center's Hall of Fame honors WestConn's own outstanding
athletes.
Pinney Hall
Named in honor of a former CSU Board of Trustees' member, A. Searle
Pinney, this building was completed in 1999. This 425-bed,
193,772-square-foot apartment-style residence hall is typically reserved
for upper-class students and accommodates five students per suite. Each
unit contains three furnished bedrooms, two bathrooms, a furnished
living and dining area, and a full-sized kitchen. Each apartment also
has a balcony.
In addition, the building houses two-story floor lounges spaced throughout the building, laundry facilities and conference/meeting rooms that can be reserved for special occasions.
Westside Campus Center
This new
49,000 sq. ft. center opened its doors in January 2007 to serve
WestConn's student body, faculty, staff, alumni and guests. The Center
is home to the Student Center/Student Life Office, which provides
students with educational and social programs aimed at assisting
students outside of the classroom. The Center features a full-service
dining facility and club/coffee house, multi-purpose meeting and
conference rooms, cardio-fitness center, study lounges, student
organization offices and information desk.
Westside
Classroom Building
Completed in 1981, the 96,110-square-foot Westside Classroom Building is
WestConn’s most uniquely designed facility. With its "spiral" hallway
concept, four of its five floors are accessible without using elevators
or stairs.
The building is home to classrooms, lecture halls, departmental offices
and computer laboratories. In addition to the business and education
departments, the building houses the Ancell School of Business, Center
for Developmental Studies, Westside Computer Center, and Robert S. Young
Library. The building also includes student lounges, a bookstore and
offices for The Charles Ives Center for the Arts.
Westside
Nature Preserve
The Westside Nature Preserve (WNP), a 33-acre tract of land, is used as
an educational and recreational resource for the university and the
Greater Danbury region. With its diverse flora and fauna, the WNP serves
as a laboratory for WestConn students. Trails are maintained year-round.
Westside
Observatory
Sitting atop a hill on the Westside campus, the expanded WCSU Westside
Observatory is home to a 20-inch Ritchey-Chretien telescope, among the
largest at any institution of higher education in Connecticut. This
2,694 sq. ft. facility houses a 20-foot planetarium dome, a classroom
and display case. This observatory is used extensively by students and
faculty in the astronomy program. The Physics, Astronomy and Meteorology
Department hosts public observatory nights and open houses that allow
people from WestConn and the local community to view the planets,
comets, stars and other celestial phenomena through the telescopes.
