Commons

From Special Collections Research Center Wiki

The Commons, often referred to as "The Caf" by students, is a large dining hall located on Ukrop Way (formerly Campus Drive), across from the Randolph Complex. The Caf is the College's only free-standing dining facility.

Architect Hubert L. Jones designed the dining facility, which was built by the Harry B. Graham Co., Inc., of Ashland, Virginia. Construction began in 1965, and the The William and Mary Commons opened September 1967.

The Commons was renovated in 1987. The dining facility underwent a large-scale renovation during the 2004-2005 school year. So students could still eat Caf food during the renovations, the College of William and Mary pitched a humongous, temporary tent on Yates Field, official named the "UnCommons" but dubbed the "deCaf" by students.

The 2004-2005 project included improvements to the building, built-in equipment and reconfiguration to facilitate food preparation and delivery. Details:

• Cost: $ 11.5 million planning (source - 9C/9D Debt)
• Renovation GSF: 35,820
• Start Date: March 2005
• Finish Date: September 2005 (Planned), August 2005 (Actually completed)
• Design Team: MMM Design Group
• Contractor: DPR (Aramark)

Building Committee: Haskell Brown , Project Manager Anna Martin, Vice President, Administration W. Samuel Sadler, Vice President, Student Affairs Martha Sheets, Senior Planner Charles Maimone, Director, Auxiliary Services Bob Dillman, Associate Vice President , Facilities Management Dave Shepard, Deputy Director, Facilities Management Wayne Boy, Associate Director, Facilities Planning, Design & Construction John Coleman, Campus Police Crime Prevention Phil DiBenedetto, Director, Dining Services Larry Smith, Director, Commons Dining Paul Brockwell, Student Jonathan Carter, Student Megan Dorward, Student Zachary Vaughan, Student [1]

External Links

• Images from 2004-2005 Project, Construction at William and Mary Webpage.

References

• University Archives Buildings File (2007), Commons, Earl Gregg Swem Library, The College of William and Mary.
• Construction at William and Mary Webpage.

Need help?

To search for further material, see Finding Materials in the SCRC for an introduction to the SCRC Collections Database, card catalogs, Flat Hat-William & Mary News-Alumni Gazette index, etc.

Questions? Contact the SCRC at spcoll@wm.edu or 221-3090, or visit the Special Collections Research Center in the Earl Gregg Swem Library at the College of William and Mary (hours).

A Note About The Contents Of This Wiki

Unfortunately, many of the early original records of the College of William and Mary were destroyed by fire, military occupation, and the normal effects of time. The information available here is the best available from known documents and sources at the time it was written. Information in this wiki is not complete as new information continues to be uncovered in the SCRC's collections and elsewhere. Researchers are strongly encouraged to use the SCRC's access tools for their research as the information contained in this wiki is by no means comprehensive.