Ithaca College Trustees Review Consolidated Master Plan

At its annual fall meeting the Ithaca College Board of Trustees reviewed the latest version of a proposed master plan for campus facilities development. Board members also participated in the rededication of Muller Chapel and a memorial service for president emeritus James J. Whalen during the session, held October 11–13.

Based on input provided at a special August board meeting and feedback by the campus community following a series of public sessions held in September, consulting firm Sasaki Associates presented a version of the master plan that consolidates the most popular features of three prospective alternatives. The development proposal includes new academic, administrative, and residential facilities, as well as a field house.

"Strong preference was shown both by board members and by campus constituencies for the ‘Ithaca Quads’ plan, with some elements of the ‘Main Street’ and ‘Districts’ alternatives drawing support as well," says Tom Salm, vice president for business and administrative affairs. "There also was strong support for options that featured building a new entrance to the campus and locating the field house near the football stadium."

Detailed drawings of the three initial alternatives can be found online at www.ithaca.edu/riskmanagement/sept_draft/index.htm. The consolidated proposal will also be posted at the website. Salm says another round of open meetings will be scheduled in December in order to refine and select a final plan. The board is expected to adopt the final plan at either its February or May 2002 meeting.

In recognition of the 25th anniversary of its opening as a center for spiritual life on campus, the Florence S. and Herman E. Muller Memorial Chapel was rededicated in a ceremony on October 11. The program included prayer, readings, performances, a blessing by the College chaplains, and remarks by President Peggy R. Williams and Herman E. "Skip" Muller Jr. ’51.

The chapel is named for Florence Sidur Muller ’33 and Herman E. Muller Sr., who served as chairman of the board of trustees from 1951 until the couple’s death in an automobile accident in 1965. Funding for the chapel was provided by their children, Robert, Nancy, and Herman Jr. --- who himself served as chairman of the board from 1993 until this past May.

At the ceremony Muller told a story of being brought by his father in the 1950s to see the South Hill site that the College had purchased for its future campus. "When the campus has settled here," he recalled his father as saying, "I want to build a chapel to serve the community, not only as a house of worship but as a place where a person can come to think, meditate, or just get away." Though the senior Muller died before that wish was fulfilled, his son said he was proud that his family was able to finally make it a reality with the construction of the chapel in 1976.

On October 12 tribute was paid to James J. Whalen not only for his 22 years of service as president of Ithaca College but also for his lengthy record of leadership in advancing the cause of independent higher education. Board members joined with members of Whalen’s family and with friends and colleagues from the campus, local, and higher education communities for the memorial service at Immaculate Conception Church.

Delivering remarks at the service were board chairman William Haines, Cornell University president emeritus Frank H. T. Rhodes, and retired senior vice president Matthew B. Wall ’67. The Ithaca Wind Quintet and Ithaca College Choir provided music for the mass, which was followed by a reception at the James J. Whalen Center for Music.

In other board activities at the fall meeting

• the Institutional Advancement Committee reviewed year-end fund-raising results and discussed a report from the College’s marketing consultants;
• the Campus Life and Community Committee discussed the College’s recently revised alcohol policy and was updated on health promotion and substance abuse prevention programs;
• the Educational Policy Committee discussed the faculty workload project, space utilization issues, and admission and enrollment;
• the Buildings and Grounds Committee discussed proposed building projects and reviewed last summer’s renovations of the library and Garden Apartment 25; and
• the Finance and Audit Committee accepted the annual audited financial statements by the College auditors.