The extension will also allow Memorial Hall project heads to ask students before the building reopens what they would like to see in the commons, Parsons said.

Department heads interviewed yesterday said the year's delay in the humanities center opening is not a large concern.

"I don't think it's going to have much of an impact," said Juliet B. Schor, director of studies for the women's studies committee. "We'll just be delayed in moving in."

Patrick K. Ford, chair of Celtic Languages and Literatures, said that the delay is actually welcome, because the academic year 1996-97 marks the centenary of Celtic Studies at Harvard.

"We were concerned in the preceding schedule that we would have a new address and new telephone number right at the beginning of our centennial year, and that might make it difficult for us to get in touch with even old friends," Ford said. "For that reason, if none other, we're not at all unhappy with this change in plans."

As a result of the Union renovations, the Committee on Degrees in History and Literature and the Expository Writing Program will move to Vanserg Hall for the 1996-97 academic year.

The contractor for Memorial Hall is A.J. Martini, Inc. The contractor for the humanities complex has not yet been selected, according to Parsons, but Shawmut Construction is providing pre-construction services.

Jonathan A. Lewin contributed to the reporting of this story.CrimsonAndrew K. SachaConstruction of a new first-year dining hall and student center in Memorial Hall will continue until January 1996. The Freshman Union will stay open to feed the Class of 1999.