With the 2024-2025 academic year coming to an end, Colgate University continues work on developments and projects that are part of the University’s Third-Century Plan.
Campus construction and updates to residential buildings make up an important part of these new developments for students. The initial phase of the construction on Colgate’s Lower Campus began with work on 66 and 70 Broad Street.
Work on 66 Broad St., home to the Delta Upsilon (DU) fraternity, will be completed by the beginning of the 2025-2026 academic year and the fraternity will be moving back into the space after being housed at 104 Broad St. and using the Parker Commons (the Mat) kitchen for meals.
“We are excited to welcome students into a new Delta Upsilon chapter house for the start of the 2025-2026 academic year,” Vice President and Dean of the College Paul J. McLoughlin said. “When the newly renovated residence hall opens, DU members will return to a new kitchen and dining room, common rooms and Brothers’ room.”
The house will also now have 26 single rooms and four double rooms with a new social space on the ground floor. Improvements to accessibility have also been made as the new house includes an elevator.
Sophomore and member of DU Sean Haney commented on his excitement about the improvements to 66 Broad St.
“Most of the guys are getting single rooms, me included, so I’m really excited about that. We’re going to have two kitchens: one for our chef Susie and one for the brothers, which will be nice if we ever want to cook my own food while giving Susie her own space,” Haney said. “They are installing some study places, which will be nice if I don’t want to walk from the library. Also, the social and party spaces are going to be separated from the rest of the house, so it’ll be nice if I want to study or go to bed early.”
The current timeline on construction has “the Loj,” used as theme housing for members of the University’s Outdoor Education (OE) program, being completed in time for the 2026-2027 academic year. Earlier this semester, the University announced that “the Loj” was approved for demolition by the Village of Hamilton Planning Board. The demolition of 70 Broad, the previous home of “the Loj,” will begin this month.
Junior and OE member Jakob Norton-Scherer shared his thoughts on the timeline of the project.
“Regarding the timeline we were told that the house would be closed for one academic year in order to complete renovations,” Norton-Sherer said. “Despite that promise, here we are a year later, work hasn’t even begun and the space is being used as an office to oversee construction of other projects.”
Students from “the Loj” were offered alternative housing for the 2024-2025 academic year, including the Townhouse Apartments and 76 Broad St., but declined both offers. For the 2025-2026 academic year, “the Loj” will be living in 5 West Kendrick Ave. When construction on 70 Broad St. is completed, the house will have 24 single rooms, new social and outdoor spaces and bicycle parking.
“I think we are all really happy to be getting a space for our community back. This year has been pretty difficult due to our not having a good place to gather, and 5 West Kendrick seems like a good house that will meet our needs,” Norton-Scherer said.
Despite their new living situation, many OE members are missing out on the chance to live in “the Loj,” something many have been looking forward to.
“The Loj at 70 Broad is a historic house and has been home to my community for a long time. I personally have a lot of fond memories of the house from when I was an underclassman and am disappointed that I won’t have the chance to live there,” Norton-Scherer said.
In terms of new construction, much of the work taking place next year will consist of utilities work in preparation for the Lower Campus Social Center. According to the Third-Century Plan website, the social center will “ feature a café, fireside gathering space, performance venue and laundry facilities. Housing for 41 students — mostly in singles — will be found on the second and third floors.”
Over the summer break, renovations will take place up the hill, including some in Gate House, including new painting, lighting and carpeting. Gate House will eventually be replaced by a fifth Residential Commons, though this construction is still a few years away.
“We want this Gate House to be comfortable and welcoming to new students who will live there in the near term,” McLoughlin said.
McLoughlin commented on the importance of the summer for campus improvement and the work done during this short break.
“The summer is a busy time for our facilities and capital projects teams. They have an incredibly small window of time to make repairs and to spruce things up for another academic year,” McLoughlin said. “We owe a great deal of gratitude to the work these colleagues do in a very compressed period of time.”
