College seeks input about field house design

The Field House Design Team has held two open forums about the Dorothy Towne Field House renovations this spring to allow students to voice their opinions about the renovations. The forums included open discussions and a “graffiti wall” where students were encouraged to write their answers to two questions. Students were first asked what type of cardio equipment they would like to see in the new field house. Secondly, students were asked what color scheme they prefered for the track and tennis courts on the mezzanine level of the field house. The design team provided three color scheme suggestions for students to choose between. The design team is still accepting feedback by email and on their blog, “The Dirt,” which the administration created earlier this semester to communicate information about campus renewal projects to the Wellesley community.

Alumna plants White House Kitchen Garden with Michelle Obama

Whitney Smith ’12 was chosen to help plant the White House Kitchen Garden with First Lady Michelle Obama. Smith was invited along with five other members of FoodCorps, which is part of the AmeriCorps Service Network. FoodCorps aims to educate schoolchildren about healthy food and how to grow it. FoodCorps will work with several schools this fall in D.C. Students from these elementary schools also attended the planting at the White House. Michelle Obama began planting the garden annually six years ago to spark a conversation about healthy living that led into her “Let’s Move!” campaign. Smith is currently serving her second term with FoodCorps at the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, where she teaches children about cooking, food justice and urban agriculture. Smith planted mustard greens, spinach and lettuce at the White House, all of which she regularly plants with her students in Detroit.

McAfee, Shafer and Pomeroy residences to undergo minor renovations this summer

Three residence halls, McAfee, Shafer and Pomeroy, will be renovated this summer. The renovations will be minor compared to the extensive renovations to take place in Munger, Cazenove and Beebe Halls in future years. Campus Renewal currently includes $10 million for minor renovations to all residence halls so all students living on campus will be able to benefit from residence hall improvements. Renovations to McAfee, Shafer and Pomeroy may include changes to lighting, tiling and flooring, especially in hallways and common spaces. The renovations are scheduled to take place over the summer. Remaining residence halls will also undergo minor renovations in future summers. This fall, students will be consulted about furniture choices for common rooms. Furniture in many of the residence halls will be replaced and the rooms may be repainted. Additionally, the administration is considering changing the bell desks at the entrance of residence halls.

Wellesley to switch to Wellesley Secure wireless network

Library and Technology Services (LTS) will remove the “Wellesley” wifi network on May 5 at 10 a.m. The “Wellesley” network will be replaced by the “Wellesley Secure” network, which has already been launched. The switch is part of LTS plans to provide a secure wifi network for students on campus. Representatives from LTS will be available in various dining halls during lunch and dinner hours next week to answer questions. Students can also visit the Computing Help Desk in the Clapp Library for assistance.