Construction to Start at Douglass
Global Village Learning Center construction this summer
Rutgers President Robert Barchi announced today that the construction of the Global Village Learning Center at Douglass Residential College will begin this summer. The Global Village Learning Center is a 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art residential facility that will provide additional dorm rooms and classrooms, as well as assembly and lounge spaces at Douglass.
“We are proud that the Douglass Residential College has become the national model for women’s education at a major public research university. This project will add to that success and supplement the existing programming for students, alumnae and others at Douglass,” Barchi said.
“This $11.5 million project was made possible by $4.6 million in donations from members of the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College and others, as well as $6.9 million in university funding,” he added.
The Global Village is a living-learning community that provides Douglass students with opportunities to develop language skills, intercultural appreciation, global awareness and a sense of community. The unique residential environment combines curricular and co-curricular activities designed to enhance each student’s overall college experience.
“This project has been many years in the making. With construction beginning this summer, we will see completion in 2016 – in time for the 250th anniversary of Rutgers University and just before the centennial of Douglass in 2018,” said Richard L. Edwards, chancellor of Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
The Global Village Center will provide additional housing for 37 Douglass students. The project also will feature a large public meeting space that will offer students a supportive living-learning environment.
Construction of the center is the latest in a series of projects demonstrating Rutgers University’s ongoing support for Douglass Residential College. Residence halls around campus have been renovated, creating modern and welcoming places for DRC students. Updates to the campus and recreation centers also have made the Douglass Campus a more welcome home to the students who choose to live there.
Founded in 1918 as the New Jersey College for Women, Douglass Residential College has successfully transformed its mission to prepare women to thrive as global leaders in the 21st century's rapidly changing political and economic environments.