Colgate University officially opened its new Accommodated Testing Center (ATC) in McGregory Hall on Tuesday, March 31, marking a significant expansion in the space and services for students requiring testing accommodations.
Construction began after finals week in December 2025, with the goal of completion by spring classes in January. Trial runs began in January, students started using the space in February and the center’s grand opening in March represented the culmination of months of planning and rapid construction.
The testing center was previously located in Gate House, where limited space constrained its capacity and functionality. The old testing center had also become unusable — water damage had caused the ceiling to cave in. The new ATC in McGregory Hall offers students a safer, larger and more welcoming space. Lucas Burdick, an ATC staff member, expressed satisfaction with the center’s new spot.
“This space is much larger,” Burdick said. “Final exams are a big time of year for us, and being able to accommodate many more people will be really rewarding for the staff, students and professors. This is the first time we have had an actual space rather than office space.”
In past semesters, demand during finals periods pushed the limits of what the Gate House location could handle, leading to students being turned away. With the new McGregory location, however, the center is now equipped to operate more efficiently and serve a significantly larger number of students.
The facility includes a range of features designed to meet diverse student needs. The space includes standing desks that can accommodate temporary injuries, countertop workspaces, individual cubicles and two rooms that are specifically designed for students who may require adjustments for reading aloud, reflecting the center’s ongoing commitment to accessibility.
Assistant Director of Disability Services Molly Mendolia played a key role in shaping the new space and emphasized the importance of designing an environment that supports neurodiverse students. Her work focuses on creating inclusive, therapeutic spaces that account for a wide range of student needs.
“‘The world needs all kinds of minds’ is a quote from Temple Grandin that perfectly encapsulates what we are doing here,” Mendolia said.
The new testing center incorporates elements intended to foster a calm and welcoming atmosphere.
“The artwork here was created by artists with disabilities to further foster the sense of inclusion and tranquility,” Mendolia said. “Gate House was the original space given to us, and, while it functioned, there were many things that could have been improved.”
In designing the new ATC, Mendolia’s goal was to create an opportunity for students to have a sensitive space where they could perform at their best. Design choices such as furniture, layout and artwork are aimed to help students feel comfortable. Mendolia said that the space reflects an effort to better understand how students from different backgrounds engage with academic support services and what they need to succeed. Students familiar with the new space, including senior Rylie Berwanger, said that these intentions have not gone unnoticed.
“I haven’t taken an exam in the new testing room yet, but the space already feels much more calming and welcoming than the old one. The design and furniture seem intentionally made to make students comfortable,” Berwanger said. “Compared to that of Gate House, which always felt kind of grungy, the new center looks like a place where students could actually feel more relaxed going into an exam.”
Administrators and staff see the McGregory center as more than just a relocation — they say it represents a shift toward a more inclusive and responsive support system for students across campus. The center’s opening comes just in time for final exams in May, when demand for accommodated testing reaches its peak.
