After the Committee on Student Organizations alleviated concerns of Hillel members, the Student Assembly passed a resolution last night providing College Architect John Wilson with $500 to uncover stained-glass windows depicting Christian religious imagery in Rollins Chapel.
According to College archives, the windows were handcrafted by distinguished artisans in the late 19th century and are considered renowned works of art. The windows exact designs are unknown, as they have long been covered by wooden boards; Wilson will remove the wooden boards so that the windows can be analyzed further.
Elisabeth Sherman '06, Hillel executive vice president and programming chair, said members expressed concern over "the intent of this project."
Hillel holds High Holy Day services in Rollins. Some members were concerned that Christian imagery might render Rollins inappropriate for Jewish religious services.
Student Organizations Chair Ralph Davies '05, Student Body Vice President Noah Riner '06 and the chairs of the sub-committee on the Rollins restoration project attended Hillel's meeting yesterday evening and presented the planned resolution.
The resolution will provide Wilson with the appropriate funds to uncover the windows and will allow members of the Dartmouth community to publicly view them before embarking on a full scale restoration.
"They're definitely going to get the opportunity to go with the College Architect to view them," Riner said.
Hillel student leaders wanted to ensure that they would have an opportunity to view the windows once they are uncovered. "We're going to see that that happens," sub-committee chair Elisa Donnelly '07 said.
Hillel members were assuaged by the assurances. "Everything went really well and I think that they definitely took into consideration everything that we had to say," Sherman said. "If they continue to take into consideration everything that we expressed tonight, it will continue to be a very easy process."
"We're just trying to find out the facts," Riner said. Once the windows are uncovered, the Committee will look into the acquisition of adequate funding for a large scale restoration process.
Religious services have been hosted in Rollins Chapel since 1885.
Hillel holds Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah services in the chapel annually.