Webster renovations will hurt programming
With the interior of Webster Hall gutted in preparation for the relocated and renamed Rauner Special Collections Library, the College's last medium-sized programming venue is a relic of Dartmouth's past. Concerts, performances and other activities formerly offered in the versatile and popular performance area may be impossible to offer at Dartmouth in the near future. Before renovations, Webster was Dartmouth's only flexible programming space smaller than Leede Arena but larger than Collis Common Ground. All of the events that would otherwise have been held in Webster simply will not take place in the future, Director of Student Activities Linda Kennedy said. There is no solution to the problem for the near future, Kennedy added. When plans to change Webster Hall into the home for Special Collections were announced in Winter 1995, students were opposed to losing the performance venue. Dean of Student Life Holly Sateia said students involved in programming are always seeking additional programming space and Webster's renovation comes at a bad time. Sateia said the renovation of Collis Common Ground a few years ago was in part a response to the impending loss of Webster, but its enlargement was not nearly enough. Although the Common Ground can now hold up to 300 people standing, it does not work as a replacement for Webster, which held 850 people, she said. Good for books, better for concerts Certain performers, including Natalie Merchant, have commented about the utility of Webster Hall. "I heard that this was going to be glassed in and become a library," Merchant said in an concert right after the announcement was made.