Photo by Bryn Healy ‘24.
By Paige Comeau ’26
Staff Writer
On Feb. 13, Karla Youngblood, associate vice president for Facilities Management, and Carl Ries, treasurer and vice president for finance and administration, announced an update on the ongoing geothermal energy initiative here at Mount Holyoke College. This update provides some key information surrounding upcoming construction, which may impact students.
Mount Holyoke aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 80% by the year 2030. With this goal in mind, the timing of certain initiatives has been moved up, possibly affecting students in unexpected ways. Below is an account of the most important projects which may influence campus activity.
Already, on Feb. 5, some construction began behind Blanchard Hall, which will continue for the time being.
On March 1, the next phase of work will begin with a large portion of Skinner Green being roped off until the end of the summer for work under the grass. New sod will be placed as soon as possible to enable students’ use of the area for the 2024 Fall Semester. The administration is currently looking for different areas to host traditional events normally held on the green, such as Pangy Day and Spring Weekend.
Mid-March, work will begin on pipes in and beneath several buildings and residence halls, including Blanchard, Brigham, Porter and Safford Halls. Further information regarding residences affected by this construction will be emailed to residents shortly. Work on other buildings and halls, including North Rockefeller, South Rockefeller, Mead, Chapin and Wilder Halls, will begin June 1. Students living on campus over the summer should not be affected.
Construction will largely take place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., or 5:00 p.m. at the latest. Some noise and disruption can be expected, although it is not anticipated that there will be any interruptions to utilities. Dumpsters and other equipment may be placed around campus, and some pathways will be blocked off; any place considered inaccessible will utilize steel plates and ramps for added accessibility. The College remains committed to accessibility at this time and asks that all questions or concerns be forwarded to the 504 Coordinator via email.
For future updates, the College asks students to monitor the geothermal project webpage or email the staff with any concerns.