Eaton Hall, which has been undergoing a complete renovation since November 2023, is set to be completed by the spring 2025 semester. The building, which first opened in 1908 as the university’s main library, has most recently housed the anthropology, classical studies, religion and sociology departments.
Jim Gray, interim director of Capital Program, commented on the progress of the renovations, noting that there have been no deviations from the original plan such as the addition of a café.
“Construction is moving along well and the project is anticipated to be completed and ready for Students and Faculty/Staff for Spring 2025 Semester,” Gray wrote in an email to the Daily.
Gray wrote that the biggest changes that will be made to Eaton Hall are a dedicated entrance with an elevator designed to be Americans with Disabilities Act- compliant and new classrooms with updated technology. According to the Tufts Capital Projects website, the building will house interdisciplinary classrooms, collaborative spaces and research labs.
Mia Ivatury, a junior and sociology major, shared her insight on students’ anticipation for the completion of the renovations.
“I feel like it’s not talked about unless it’s student sentiment being like, ‘Oh, when is it going to open?’ Is it going to be before we graduate or after? Are we ever going to see it?’” Ivatury said.
After multiple reports of damages were received due to the age of the building, Tufts began renovations. Andreola Rossi, senior lecturer in the Department of Classical Studies, spoke to the Daily about the state of Eaton Hall before the renovations began.
“The ceiling [panels] were sometimes coming down because there was water leaking. It really needed renovation,” Rossi said.
Rossi informed the Daily that she was aware there would be a seminar room included in the renovated building.
“I think that we are going to have a seminar room, which is really something as a department we really badly needed because we have never had, even in the old Eaton [Hall], our own seminar room,” Rossi said.
Ivatury shared her perspective about why she believes the renovated Eaton Hall will be important.
“Having an active building is beneficial for people who are already interested in [the social sciences], or [for people] who are looking for a way to try out a major or to pursue a different academic interest,” Ivatury said.
While the renovations have rendered Eaton Hall uninhabitable, faculty and classes have had to be housed in other buildings, such as Braker Hall and Lincoln-Filene Center.
Professor Rossi spoke about the transition from her office in Eaton Hall to Lincoln-Filene, noting that the building was without heat until very late in the year.
“Lincoln-Filene is very difficult to live in,” Rossi said.
Ivatury also spoke about how a lack of a sociology-designated building has impacted her.
“The sentiment of having no known sociology or kind of academic community in that way is interesting to think about,” Ivatury said. “I know sociology majors from my classes, and I have an advisor and they have events and stuff like that, but there’s no lounge that I can go to or a building … where I’m likely to find people who are interested in the same things as me.”
Rossi expressed excitement over how the construction appears to be progressing.
“In the last few months, we saw a lot of progress. It’s really coming along. I was very happily surprised when I came back to campus in September because for the first year … you didn’t see all these movements. Instead, in the last few months, you really see a lot of movements,” Rossi said.
Rossi also commented on how the new building will add to campus as a whole.
“We’re all excited. I think that it’s going to be a great addition to the main part [of campus],” Rossi said.
