University’s responsible approach to resuming campus construction
When students, faculty, and other personnel vacated campus in late March, Harvard’s lecture halls, offices, and community spaces weren’t the only areas left empty. The University’s many capital projects also had to quickly pivot from normal operations and leave sites across campus after Boston and Cambridge temporarily halted construction work to protect public health. Now, as each city has begun a phased approach to a “new normal,” some of those projects have started to resume operations. The Gazette spoke with Vice President for Campus Services Meredith Weenick, Director of Capital Projects for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Petrina Garbarini, and Managing Director of Harvard Capital Projects Joe O’Farrell to learn more about Harvard’s decision to restart construction. Q&A Meredith Weenick, Petrina Garbarini, and Joe O’Farrell GAZETTE: Can you walk us through the University’s decision to resume campus construction? WEENICK: As Provost [Alan] Garber noted in his message to the University about planning for fall 2020,...