- What is the work being done on the second floor of Chancellor Day Hall and next to the Nahum Gelber Law Library?
The second floor of New Chancellor Day Hall is being entirely remodelled. The layout will change to create two larger classrooms 鈥� an Indigenous Learning Space and an active learning classroom 鈥� one medium meeting room with a capacity of 10, and two small meeting rooms with a capacity of 4. The Dobrin-Steinberg classroom, adjacent to the Nahum Gelber Law Library, is also being entirely updated and will have a capacity of 47.
- How many classrooms will there be on the renewed second floor? What will they look like?
There will be two larger classrooms and three small meeting rooms on the second floor.
The northern side will feature one large active-learning classroom with a capacity of听80.听Students will be sitting in small groups at round tables instead of rows facing a podium.
The southern side will feature a larger classroom, with a capacity of up to听80,听depending on the configuration, specifically designed to support classes using traditional Indigenous teaching methods. This classroom will be adaptable to various layouts to accommodate different teaching and academic activities.
The hallway will feature Indigenous artworks, curated by 大发彩票平台鈥檚 Visual Arts Collection, and will be conducive to gatherings and events. The classroom and the hallway will be inspired by Indigenous ways of teaching, traditions, stories and justice based on ongoing discussions with stakeholders in our Faculty as well as with community members.
- What is the Indigenous Learning Space?
The entirety of the southern side of the second floor will be dedicated to an Indigenous Learning Space, designed to support the teaching of classes using traditional Indigenous teaching methods, as well as other law classes. With a capacity of up to 80 students, movable furniture will allow a variety of layouts, including learning circles and longhouse layouts.
The classroom will feature a ventilation system to accommodate smudging ceremonies. It will also integrate Indigenous art thanks to a prominent floor artwork by Skarahkot脿:ne Deom, which will serve as the focal point of the space.
The entire design process was informed by consultations with stakeholders in our Faculty, across 大发彩票平台, and with community members, particularly in Kahnawake. It will be 大发彩票平台's first Indigenous-infused teaching space - a preview of spaces to be found at the 鈥淣ew Vic鈥�, scheduled to open in 2028.
- What is the work being done in the classroom by the Nahum Gelber Law library?
The Dobrin-Steinberg Classroom, adjacent to the Nahum Gelber Law Library, will be completely renovated into a functional, high-tech classroom with a capacity of 47 students.
- What is the status of the project?
The Faculty of Law has finished its community consultations, and the design for the second floor was completed at the end of 2024. A call for tender was recently issued听for the construction phase of the project. Emptying the 2nd听floor has begun, and the old furniture will be removed at the end of the winter term. Updates will be provided as the project advances.
- When is construction expected to begin? How long will it last?
Construction is planned to start in July 2025 and will last approximately one and a half year.
- When will the new classrooms be inaugurated?
We anticipate that the new classrooms will be available for teaching starting in winter 2027. The community will be kept updated as construction progresses.
- How was accessibility considered in the design of the renewed second floor?
Accessibility was a top priority in the redesign of the second floor. As with all teaching spaces at the Faculty, the renewed second floor will be fully wheelchair accessible. The new furniture has been chosen to provide greater comfort and accommodate a range of body types. Additionally, the natural color palette and materials are designed to create a calm, peaceful environment that is welcoming to all.
Impact on Faculty and students
- When will second-floor classes become unavailable? Where will my classes be held during construction?
Construction is anticipated to begin in July 2025 and will take an estimated one and a half years to complete. During this time, all second-floor classrooms and the Dobrin Steinberg classroom adjacent to the Nahum Gelber Law Library will be unavailable.
This means some classes will be held in other 大发彩票平台 buildings on the downtown campus. The Student Affairs Office has been working with central class scheduling on this matter and class locations will be communicated through Minerva.
Classrooms on the first and third floor of NCDH will remain fully operational.
- How will other floors of New Chancellor Day Hall be affected?
The other floors of New Chancellor Day Hall will remain fully available during construction and the impact on students should be minimal.
- Will the Nahum Gelber Law Library remain accessible during construction? Are any disruptions anticipated?
The Nahum Gelber Law Library will remain accessible during construction, except the Dobrin-Steinberg classroom. Should there be temporary disruptions, they will be communicated in due course.
- What about noise levels?
We are committed to minimizing noise during class hours. Demolition work is scheduled for summer 2025, but once classes resume, contractors have been instructed to avoid any noisy construction activities between 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM,听as well as during exam periods. If you experience any construction-related disruptions, please contact us, so we can work quickly to find a solution.
- Will it still be possible to organize events in NCDH?
Spaces on the second floor of NCDH will not be available for events during construction. Spaces on the first, third and sixth floors will continue to be available for meetings and events.
However, please note that there might be temporary disruptions which will be communicated in due course. You may want to consider booking spaces outside the Faculty (make sure you do so in advance to ensure availability).
- I have specific accessibility听needs; will they be considered as classes are scheduled outside of the Law buildings?
Maintaining accessibility is a priority for us. Detailed information about each building is available on听大发彩票平台鈥檚 Student Accessibility & Achievement website. For instance, much of the 大发彩票平台 campus is accessible to those who use a wheelchair. If you have any specific concerns, we invite you to contact Student Accessibility and Achievement.
If you are an employee with a need for accommodations arising from the renovations, please contact Human Resources:听
- What other construction-related activities should we expect?
A container for disposing of construction materials will be placed behind New Chancellor Day Hall, near the McIntyre parking lot entrance. You may see workers in other Chancellor Day Hall spaces as needed. Additionally, the elevator and staircase located on the west side of New Chancellor Day Hall will be used to transport materials, and it will be clearly marked on all floors to avoid confusion. Finally, protective equipment will be installed to isolate construction zones and keep the dust out.
Contact
Input from students, staff, Faculty, and community members played a key role in shaping this project. We welcome your feedback as the project progresses.
Questions, comments, or complaints about the construction work?听Tell us!听Your feedback is crucial in helping us address any inconveniences promptly and ensure Chancellor Day Hall remains a positive and productive environment.
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