Caldwell Hall will continue to house Cornell's American Indian Program (AIP), it was decided recently, after consultation between AIP constituents and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) administrators.

For its part, AIP has agreed to open its seminar room for use by other CALS departments to reduce classroom congestion during the construction of Stocking, Fernow, Warren and Rice halls.

At a meeting held in February, Dean Kathryn Boor and other deans of the college joined AIP faculty, staff and students for a discussion about a proposed move of the program to accommodate space challenges brought on by the construction projects.

AIP participants expressed concern that a move would disrupt the unique nature of the program that serves as an academic home and social support system to Native American students, as well as other campus community members, and is an important asset in the recruitment of Native students.

"We appreciated the articulation of their program needs, which helped us understand how AIP furthers the diversity goals of Cornell and CALS, provides Native American students access to higher education, and supports the production of important research concerning indigenous cultures," said Boor, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "We are committed to supporting AIP toward these goals and consequently have determined that there is no available alternative space that would meet the program's needs during the projected five-year construction period."

The renovations of Stocking, Fernow, Rice and Warren halls are part of an approximately $168 million capital improvement campaign, which necessitated a careful analysis of college facilities and resources. After an exhaustive review, the college identified a suite of offices in Kennedy Hall as a potential home for AIP and then entered into consultation with the program.

"It worked out well for all concerned," said Eric Cheyfitz, director of the American Indian Program, "and we stress our appreciation for their willingness to listen to and act upon our concerns."

With 23 CALS classrooms going offline due to construction, the program's seminar room, Caldwell 400, is an important addition to the classroom scheduling system.

Ellen Leventry is interim co-director of communications in CALS.