Many of the department not included in the center also have their own specialized facilities.

"Besides, you can't move philosophy out of Emerson Hall!" Parsons said.

Historical Preservation

Another concern associated with the construction of the new center was the preservation of the history of the Union.

According to Parsons, the renovation of the Union "makes the past better serve the present." He said ultraconservative preservationists may object to any change in the historic building, but the restoration will allow students and faculty to make full use of the facility.

Charlie Sullivan, President of the CambridgeHistorical commission, said he agreed withparsons.

"Harvard has done an excellent job renovatingthe Freshman dormitories and Memorial Hall...andtheir treatment of the exterior [of the Union] isadmirable," he said.

Sullivan, however, said he is concerned withthe changes inside the Union, which includesplitting the dining hall horizontally andvertically, adding a level and a staircase.

"We regret the loss of the main dining hall,but the program calls for 183 faculty offices,"Sullivan said. "[And we have] encouraged Harvardto think further about preserving the features ofthe dining hall.

Jean Goody, whose architectural firm Goody andClancy designed the center, said the renovationslet the Union "fulfill its original mission."

According to Goody, it used to be a social clubfor undergraduates. The center will provide"opportunities to meet each other and overcomebarriers in fields," she said.

Goody said that the plans preserve the Union'soriginal wood panelling and fireplaces.

According to Warren Little, executive directorof the Cambridge Historical Society, therenovators also plan to preserve the moose headand the ones from former President TheodoreRoosevelt class of 1880's hunting days.

But Little said he is still concerned about theplaques on the Union walls dedicated to variousclasses.

"Harvard spends very little time and effortcaring for its history," he said