This summer, Marist College broke ground on the Dyson Center renovation project. The $60 million project is set to build a new home for the Schools of Management and Social and Behavioral Sciences.

While the renovation is creating excitement over a brand new building, which many said was long overdue, it will create disruptions to the normal flow on campus.

Classes that would typically run in Dyson will now be held in different buildings across campus. Donnelly Hall will primarily house the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and the School of Management will relocate to 51 Fulton, according to Anthony Proia, Director of Media Relations.

51 Fulton is a fully functional academic building, equipped with 11 classrooms, and has been used during previous renovations. However, its distance away from the main part of campus leaves some students concerned, as The Circle reported last school year.

In order to access the facility, students will have to cross the road. To accommodate the foot traffic, Marist installed a crosswalk and flashing lights so cars are alerted when pedestrians are crossing.

"I was a little annoyed because that's a lot further than heading to Dyson for class," shared Julia Haas '24, "but I'm glad they put us in a decently nice building."

There will be inevitable confusion and disruption from having a construction site in the middle of campus; Proia says students can expect additional signage to help direct them.

Another significant change to campus flow is the loss of the Dyson parking lot due to construction. Parking, already a perennially contentious issue on campus, will be a bit tighter this year. According to John Blaisdell, Director of Safety & Security, there will be 20 spots for faculty working in Fontaine. The remaining faculty displaced from Dyson will head to 51 and 57 Fulton St.

The brand new Dyson Center is exciting for the college, but a two-year timeline means half of this semester's student body will not get to utilize it as students. However, this is common at a school like Marist, which is constantly adding new renovations on campus.

"Even though I'll never get to use the new Dyson building, I still think it's really cool for newer students to have the ability to use it," said Matthew Moraski '23.

Upon completion, Dyson will feature state of the art classrooms, student-faculty research labs and a 150-seat lecture hall. There will be expansive new common areas, including an atrium that features a soaring ceiling, café, lounge and abundant social and collaborative space, per Proia.

As a new school year begins, Dyson will be at the center of the action, creating excitement for what's to come and grievances from the disruptive construction.

Dyson Construction Builds Obstacles on Campus

MARIST CIRCLE