Old Main Building rededication ceremony to take place on May 11

NEW PALTZ – The three-year renovation of the 65,000-square-foot Old Main Building, home of SUNY New Paltz’s School of Education, will be celebrated with a rededication ceremony on May 11 at 11 a.m. Following the ribbon-cutting, which will take place in front of the building’s main entrance, a reception will be held in the 1907 Room and tours of the building will be offered. All events are open to the public. In case of rain all events will be held in the 1907 Room (room number B125 in the Old Main building.)

President Donald P. Christian, Retired Dean Robert Michael (Education) and Interim Dean Karen Bell (Education) are expected to speak during the ceremony. Senator John Bonacic and Assemblymember Kevin Cahill ’77, both of whom helped secure funding for the renovation, are also expected to address the audience.

Old Main, which dates from 1907, has housed multiple schools and offices through the years, including the entire College at one time. In line with New Paltz’s dual strategy for academic excellence and a green campus, the renovation incorporated the installation of high-tech classrooms, modern faculty offices, complete electrical upgrades, central air-conditioning and meticulous attention to the interior finishes of the building to restore its natural elegance and ornamentation.

Green features include maximum water efficiency; a highly efficient air-conditioning system, lighting, and other systems that will achieve 10 percent more energy efficiency than the standards established by the New York State Energy Code. Materials with recycled content were incorporated into new construction, including steel beams and columns, and finishes such as carpet, vinyl tile flooring and acoustic ceiling panels. During the demolition, more than 90 percent of the material removed from the facility was converted into recycled content.