This summer, there will be several maintenance and repair projects across campus, wrapping up renovations, following up on issues reported through the year, and setting the groundwork for the new theatre project. Below are summaries and estimated dates of the projects, with more information available on the Campus Construction website or linked with each project.

Monroe Hall
The Monroe Hall roof reconstruction project is nearly complete in spring 2025, with classes scheduled in the building for fall 2025. Fencing has been pulled back for graduate photos, but the building remains closed to activities until Reunion. During Reunion weekend, the second and third floors will be open for specific events, and the building will reopen after June 15 for faculty office set-up. Faculty with offices in Monroe will receive more information from Facilities Operations. In addition to the new slate roof, several areas of the building have new walls, ceilings, floors or carpeting, which was replaced following water damage from leaks in the roof.

Simpson Library
The stair tower repairs at Simpson Library will be completed in summer 2025, with additional work to the building façade scheduled in the next academic year. This extended project includes rebuilding the brickwork on the east face of the building. The library remains open during the project. Check the website for hours and more information.

Alvey Parking Deck
The top floor of the Alvey Parking Deck will be closed beginning May 19 to repair and reseal the joints and reduce or eliminate water intrusion to lower floors. The elevator room will be waterproofed. During the top-level repairs, the Alvey Parking Deck can be accessed from the Sunken Road parking areas. The top level of the deck will reopen later in May and now features two electric vehicle charging stations.

Accessibility Improvements
Accessibility improvement planning and design is in progress for Combs Hall, Westmoreland Hall and the Battleground Athletics Complex. A new accessible ramp is forthcoming for James Farmer Hall, and this next academic year improvements will take place at Ball Hall, which is further detailed in the next section.

Ball Hall
Ball Hall is offline in 2025-26 for accessibility improvements including the addition of an elevator and room updates to the first floor to make several suites accessible. The work is scheduled to be completed in Fall 2026, and until then Bushnell Hall will be the all-female residence hall. In addition, potential water and sewer lines replacement may be conducted, including renovations to the bathrooms in the residence hall. Work is currently pending approval as to not conflict with other permitted project activities. Occasional debris removal or deliveries may occur around the work area and across Campus Walk, with minimal disruptions. Contractors may unload in the Fairfax Parking Lot.

Lee Hall
The remediation is complete on the fourth floor of Lee Hall, and offices will be returning through the summer as their schedules allow. The Admissions Welcome Center is staying in The Link between Mason and Randolph Halls this summer.

Utility Repairs
The following areas and buildings will have short-term utility outages for repairs.

• The main waterline between Seacobeck and Woodard Halls will be replaced this summer. In addition, the cooling unit may be updated in Woodard Hall, requiring work in and adjacent to the plaza area.
• Willard Hall will have a single-day water outage for repairs.
• Mason and Randolph Halls will have a water outage for a heat exchanger replacement.
• Westmoreland Hall will have a one-day water outage.
• Eagle Landing will have a planned water outage to install additional water valves to limit future issues.

These dates will be communicated to any residents to plan accordingly.

Brent House
Brent House, which has been closed and offline since the police station move in 2022-23, will be demolished this summer as part of the initial plan for the new theatre at the corner of William St. and Sunken Road. The nearly 100-year-old structure has been damaged from water intrusion, with major foundation and roof issues that make it too costly to repair. The demolition of Brent House will open up the pathway to extend Campus Walk to the new theatre. Following the demolition, the site will be marked off with fencing and erosion control measures until the theatre project construction starts.

New Theatre
Sitework for the new theatre will continue this summer as design plans are finalized, and with new fiber lines run and utilities moved to keep areas connected as construction starts.  The demolition of Russell and Marshall Halls will start following the removal of Brent House.

Contact Info
For any questions, contact Assistant Vice President for Facilities and Capital Outlay Brian Gorham at bgorham@umw.edu.

The Introduction to AI course will be offered asynchronously online, making it easily accessible for students with varying summer schedules.

Student registration is open for a one-credit complimentary course, IDIS 300: Intro to AI. It’s offered asynchronously, online through June and July, and awards one credit, pass/fail.

Why Take This Course? This course is designed to give you a solid foundation in AI, covering essential topics like how AI works, its various technologies, and ethical considerations. You’ll also learn how to incorporate AI into your workflows responsibly and effectively. Plus, it’s a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and skills that will prepare you for an AI-driven world.

Offered to incoming and current students, the new course is designed by Professor of Communication Anand Rao, co-author and co-editor of the 2023 book, Chat(GPT): Navigating the Impact of Generative AI Technologies on Educational Theory and Practice, which debuted as the No. 1 new release in Curricula and in the Top 10 for Educational Professional Development. He also has led discussions on the topic at international conferences and in major publications, including Inside Higher Education, With Good Reason and The Wall Street Journal.

How to Enroll: Students will sign-up for this course via the course webpage and receive the one-credit upon completion of the course and completion of their courses in the fall semester. There’s no charge for the summer Intro to AI course, and students do not need to be enrolled in other summer classes to complete it.

Future Opportunities: In addition to the summer course, we’re excited to introduce a more extensive fall course titled “AI and Society,” directed by Dr. Rao. This course will delve deeper into the implications of AI on various career paths and personal interests. You’ll have the chance to build your own chatbots, engage in discussions and debates, and attend guest lectures from industry experts. See the fall 2025 course schedule for more information.

If you have any questions about these classes, contact Dr. Rao at aroa@umw.edu. To register for the summer course, visit https://academics.umw.edu/intro-to-ai/.

Back by popular demand and with an added option, you can celebrate someone special or give a gift to yourself!

Now through June 16, make a gift of $35 or more to the Fund for Mary Washington and we’ll send you this one-of-a-kind tote bag or duffel bag-your choice, so you can take Mary Wash with you wherever you go. This is the perfect gift for the mom, dad, or grad in your life!

Donors’ recent gifts to the Fund for Mary Washington have helped us make strides across campus, including technology upgrades, accessibility improvements, new student support, and programs for civic engagement and student health. Gifts to the Fund also translate to scholarships, small class sizes, and reduced student debt.

We can’t wait to see you out and about with your new bag–our way of saying thank you for supporting UMW students. Use #totesUMW and tag @umw_alumni so we can see your posts, or email us your photos at umwgift@umw.edu.

Alumni events aren’t just for alumni! Unless otherwise noted for a specific event, parents, friends, and faculty/staff are welcome to attend any events hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement.

Join us at City Stadium on Thursday, June 26 from 7 – 9 p.m. to cheer on the Ivy — a pre-professional women’s soccer team affiliated with the Richmond Kickers — as they battle the Virginia Beach United in the final home game of the season. We will have the center ledge box reserved in addition to General Admission seating. And your first drink is on us! Come by the ledge box to check in and get your drink ticket. From there, you are welcome to hang out in the box but you also may move to the seating area.

June 26
Richmond Ivy Soccer
City Stadium, 3201 Maplewood Avenue, Richmond, VA
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Register today!

Note: Each registrant may also register up to three guests, for four tickets total. If you need more than that, please email Phillip Duggins to inquire about availability.

We hope you will join us to cheer on the Ivy. Wear your Mary Washington gear!

Reminder: Flexible work arrangement options, particularly for departments where work demands change after students leave for the summer, are available. Flexible work arrangements are available year-round, and departments determine how and when those options are utilized based on departmental needs. Whenever possible, supervisors are strongly encouraged to permit flexible work arrangements in their departments. Such arrangements may include:

• Alternative work schedules, such as four 10-hour days with one day off per week; or four nine-hour days and one four-hour day per week with the remaining half-day off each week;
  • Supervisors may complete the MyTime Supervisor Request Form online to request assistance with changing employee schedules or the lunch breaks in MyTime.
• Increased telework opportunities for eligible positions. See the Telework Policy and Procedure page. A telework agreement must be completed for all employees who telework.

Alternative work schedules must adhere to Federal and state regulations as they relate to employee class and schedule period (see the UMW Hours of Work webpage).  Full-time, FLSA non-exempt, employees are expected to work their full 40 hours per week, and FLSA exempt employees are expected to work 80 hours per the two-week schedule period (unless taking approved leave).

Because we will still have some students on campus during the summer as well as a variety of events and activities taking place during those months (e.g. orientation and STP), a department’s summer flexible work arrangements may need to vary from week to week, depending on its employees’ roles in planned campus activities.  Any changes to in-person service hours must be clearly and widely communicated to avoid negatively impacting student services.