Construction of the new education building won’t begin until March, according to Rich Péwé, chief administrative officer of Hillsdale College.

College President Larry Arnn made the decision in June to delay construction of the Diana Davis Spencer Graduate School of Education to shorten the length of time the quad is under construction, according to Péwé. In addition to construction of the new building, the college has plans for extensions and remodels on Central Hall, Mossey Library, and the Grewcock Student Union.

“If we start the Spencer building in March and start the Central Hall, library, and Grewcock additions in July, that will only disrupt two academic years,” Péwé said.

According to Péwé, the college has a principle of waiting to start capital projects until most of the funding has been provided. To shorten the construction time, Arnn and the Board of Trustees may make an exception, he said.

“That is a big decision to make,” Péwé said. “We will need to complete all the architectural plans by November if there is a chance of it all starting in July. We have until May before that needs to be decided.”

The college held a groundbreaking ceremony last spring for the new classical education building, which will stand in front of the Dow Hotel and Conference Center and the old snack bar.

Junior Caitlin Filep said she was happy to see the quad untouched when she returned to Hillsdale this fall. 

“To me, the quad is the heart of campus,” Filep said. “I cherish the quad more than almost any other space at the college, and I think it deserves to be protected.”

Daniel Coupland, dean of masters in classical education, said the building will play an important role in the college’s mission.

“The Graduate School of Classical Education seeks to realize the mission of the college by cultivating talented educators for America’s classical schools,” Coupland said. “Our graduate students are preparing to be the next generation of leaders in the growing classical education movement in this country. This new building will be the epicenter of that noble work.”