 "Photo: Ted Copeland/ The Olympian")
Now that the new Humanities and Student Services building is completed, questions have been raised about the future of the old structure that stands in the heart of the Bremerton campus.
The current Humanities Building was built in 1959 by the Bremerton School District, and was later acquired by Olympic College to accommodate growing enrollment. The Humanities Building has undergone renovations to improve technology.
However, with the more modern building now completed, there is no longer a need for its facilities. The old Humanities Building was home to the Access Services, the Writing Center, and the Head Start Preschool. All of which will be relocated eventually.
Classes are scheduled to remain in the existing Humanities Building until spring quarter.
There are plans to demolish the old building, although it is unclear as to what the space will be used for in the future.
According to the office of Administrative Services, the building will be torn down no later than December. Demolition will not happen until its current residents have been relocated.
Terri Major, an English teacher with an office located in the old Humanities Building said, “As finely tuned as they have the move, they give us a small time period.”
According to Major, three days have been set aside for faculty to relocate; Feb. 16 - 19. The move for Social Sciences and Humanities faculty, like Major, is phase five in a six phase process. During which time, it may be harder for the students to access their professors.
Major said neither student nor professor will be notified about the move until the morning of, which may make it more confusing for students seeking help from their professors.
When it’s time for the building to be demolished, the courtyard with its benches and tended gardens will go with it.
Some students want to know if another gathering place will be constructed in its stead.
Alden Hunt said, “I’d be curious to know what their plans are. I personally would like to see a quad area go up there, or a building other than the Bremerton Student Center to hang out in.”
Student Colleen Bowlan said she is more concerned about the student population and the amount of classrooms currently available. If the enrollment numbers continue to rise, they may have to continue to use the existing Humanities Building.
“I don’t know if we need more classrooms,” she said, “but what they do with the building isn’t up to us.”
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