"This transformation of the Siegel Center is a brilliant opportunity for a beloved campus landmark to provide critical and renewed campus space that will significantly enhance the experience of current and future students and the communities they create and foster at Sarah Lawrence."
–Cristle Collins Judd, President
A Central Place on Campus From Our Beginning
The Ruth Leff Siegel Center began as a small cottage built in 1916 by William Van Duzer Lawrence as a home for his head gardener. In the early 1920s, the cottage became home to the Roycroft family, whose daughter, Margaret, would go on to become the director of buildings and grounds at the College decades later. In the intervening years, this once small cottage grew in size and evolved in purpose. It was used as a Faculty House in the late 1920s, and then a new wing was added in 1931 to house the college infirmary for several decades. In 1970 it became “the Pub”, and in 1983, when a second wing and an outdoor deck were added, it became known as “Charlie’s Place” in honor of President Emeritus Charles DeCarlo. The building, with the configuration we know today, was christened the Ruth Leff Siegel Center in 1998.
A Central Place on Campus in Our Second Century
Sarah Lawrence has made significant strides in fostering diversity and inclusion and prioritizing a sense of belonging for all members of our community. But we are not where we want — or need — to be. A reimagined Siegel Center is born of an aspiration shared by students, faculty, and staff to do more and do better.
The opening of the Barbara Walters Campus Center in 2019 provided an opportunity to revisit our existing campus master plan and chart the next chapter for the Siegel Center. Based on extensive student input and feedback, we concluded that a repurposed Siegel Center could offer a unique and much-needed opportunity to build and enhance our community and relationships, bolster a sense of belonging, explore and celebrate our identities, and cultivate diverse points of view.
Why does Sarah Lawrence need this?
Because the world needs this.
Introducing The HUB:
Humanity, Understanding, Belonging
Throughout the summer of 2024, work was underway to transform “the Pub”, as the Siegel Center came to be known, into “the HUB”: a center for humanity, understanding, and belonging.
From community discussions, it became obvious that a repurposed Siegel Center, with its unique layout, presented an ideal opportunity to create a critical and much-needed “home” to practice and share traditions, to encounter difference, to make connections, to build understanding, and to break bread with one another. The HUB includes a home for the Spiritual Space, Common Ground, and the LGBTQIA Space, along with WSLC, the college radio station. Additionally, there are communal spaces for all students, two kitchens (one of which is kosher/halal certified), an eating area to share meals, lounge spaces open to all students, and three office spaces for student-facing staff.
Our partners in this project were DIGSAU, an award-winning architecture firm based in Philadelphia; contracting and construction firm Consigli; and Zubatkin Owner Representation, our project managers.
The HUB is officially opening to students on September 1, 2024. Below are a few pre-opening photos as work wraps up; more photos coming soon!
Benefits of The HUB
We look forward to the positive impact The HUB will have on campus, highlighted by these important benefits:
Cultivating Cultural Competence
A space for dialogue about differences provides a platform for students to develop cultural competence. It enables them to gain a deeper understanding of various backgrounds and perspectives, fostering a more inclusive and globally aware mindset.
Breaking Down Stereotypes
Dialogue spaces and related educational programming actively contribute to breaking down stereotypes by providing opportunities for students to share their unique stories and experiences.
Building Empathy and Understanding
Engaging in conversations about differences cultivates empathy and understanding. It allows students to walk in the shoes of others, fostering a sense of compassion and a recognition of shared humanity.
Promoting Intersectionality
A dedicated space encourages discussions that recognize the intersectionality of identity. Students can explore how various aspects of their identity intersect and influence their experiences, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of diversity.
Encouraging and Facilitating Difficult Conversations
In an increasingly polarized world, creating a space for discussing differences allows students to engage in difficult conversations constructively. It equips them with the skills to navigate challenging topics, fostering a campus culture that values respectful disagreement and intellectual growth.
Preventing Social Isolation
For students from underrepresented or marginalized groups, having a space that’s safe and supportive can be a lifeline. It provides a sense of community and support, prevents social isolation, and contributes to overall well-being.
Preparing for a Diverse Workforce
In today's globalized and diverse workforce, the ability to understand and work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds is a valuable skill. Colleges play a pivotal role in preparing students for the realities of the professional world by providing spaces that nurture intercultural competency.
Enhancing Academic and Personal Growth
Exposure to diverse perspectives stimulates critical thinking and broadens students' intellectual horizons, encouraging them to question assumptions, challenge biases, and develop a more informed worldview. And research shows that offering specialized support for underrepresented students leads to academic success.
Get Involved
For information on how you can support this important transformation and make an impact on the lives of our students, please contact:
Patricia Goldman
Vice President for Advancement & External Relations
914.813.9201
pgoldman@sarahlawrence.edu
