September 1, 2023

4 new spots to check out on campus this fall

It’s been a busy summer at Lafayette, with many construction and renovation projects finished and ready for the new academic year. As you settle back into campus this fall, here’s a look at several projects that have recently been completed—as well as updates on upgrades coming soon.

“Thank you everyone for your patience and understanding with the construction noise, detours, and cranes, as we work to complete these improvements. And thank you to the teams steadfastly working on these projects,” says Audra Kahr, executive vice president, finance and administration. “We are happy to welcome our students back to these new and improved spaces that have been designed with students’ needs in mind.”

Completed projects

Gilbert’s Café

Renovations are complete on Gilbert’s Café! The remodel makes the grab-and-go process easier, and students, staff, and faculty will find it much faster to pick up mobile orders. Use the Transact mobile app to build your order, pay, and place a food order for pickup.

  • Hours of operation will be: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Check out the menus!

Gummeson Grounds: Home of Mike Bourger ’44 Field at Oaks Stadium

A young fan in a Lafayette hat kicks a ball at Gummeson Grounds
Gummeson Grounds Community Day allowed faculty, staff, students, and neighbors to check out the new Gummeson Grounds: Home of Mike Bourger ’44 Field at Oaks Stadium.
The leopard saves a ball from going into the goal as two young boys watch at Gummeson Grounds Community Day
The archway for Gummeson Grounds is pictured.
A girl shoots a soccer ball into a net on the new Gummeson Grounds field.
Community members run across Gummeson Grounds during Community Day.

In late August, Lafayette welcomed the community and campus to a dedication celebration, inaugural games, and a community celebration of Gummeson Grounds: Home of Mike Bourger ’44 Field at Oaks Stadium. In April, the College broke ground on the soccer stadium at Metzgar Fields, which was possible thanks to a lead gift from Peter Gummeson ’80. The project includes updated roof-covered seating, English-style terraces behind the goals and along sidelines, a new press box, as well as an irrigation system for the field.

Post Office

A view of the new Post office shows a maroon room with words Post Office. A student removes a package from lockers branded with a paw print and Lafayette colors.

Renovations of the campus Post Office are now complete! New package lockers ease pickup. While most packages will be available for pickup from the automated lockers, some will need to be picked up at the service window. Students will receive an email directing them to either pickup via the locker system or at the service window. USPS mailboxes are no longer available; everyday mail can now be picked up at the service window. Stop by during business hours and ask if you have any mail. 

  • Questions? Ask the staff in the mailroom or email postoffice@lafayette.edu.

Simon’s Market

Shelves of packaged snacks are displayed at the new Simon's Market.
Red signage reads Simon's Market above the coffee station ahead of the walk in kiosk.
The kiosk station at Simon's Market is shown
A person scans a cellphone to utilize the Just Walk Out Technology at Simon's Market
Simon's Market has Amazon's Just Walk Out technology (the kiosk is shown)
Simon's Market features Amazon's Just Walk Out technology, and offers a nearly 24/7 option for students.

The new market in Kamine Hall marks the first spot on campus and among all Lehigh Valley colleges and universities to use Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology. Customers can scan a credit card or their Lafayette ID at the entrance, grab what they want from the market’s shelves, and leave. The market offers fresh food, prepackaged meals, and other goods available daily, along with a meal-equivalency option for students to use with their meal plan. 

Simon’s Market features local vendors including Khanisa’s pudding, Bank Street Creamery, Mia and Maddie’s Bakery, Pastificio 601, Casa de Jorge Salsa Co., Cece J’s Snacks, The Granola Factory, and Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn. Produce from LaFarm will be used in some of the On The Go! items when possible. 

  • Simon’s Market is open nearly 24/7. It is closed briefly 2-6 a.m. Mondays.

Updates on ongoing projects

Acopian Bioengineering Lab 

A new lab space is under construction in Acopian. Photo shows the lab in the process of being renovated.A second-floor classroom is being renovated into a new bioengineering laboratory and cell culture room. The bioengineering laboratory will be a combination of both a research lab and small classroom area, for hands-on learning. Room upgrades include new lighting, ceilings, flooring, specialty lab casework, and a new ductless fume hood. The new lab will be open for use in September.

Escarpment Trail

Work progresses on the escarpment trail.

Work continues on the College’s Easton/College Hill escarpment multimodal trail and historic step refurbishment. Refurbishment of the historic College Hill escarpment steps is now completed, and they are open for use. Access to the steps is by the Civil War Monument, in between Ruef Hall and Keefe Hall. Other points of access to the stairs and trail will open when the full trail work is complete, and should not be used until work is complete. In addition to the steps, LCAT shuttles are operating to and from the Williams Arts campus, Metzgar Fields, and all other usual stops. SHUTTLE SCHEDULES

  • Please note: While work on the escarpment ramps that connect the Karl Stirner Arts Trail to the steps and the Class of ’62 Plaza will continue and should be done in approximately three weeks, it is not expected to interfere with use of the steps. Updates will be posted as available at facilitiesplanning.lafayette.edu.

Leopard’s Lair

Photos of the new Leopard's Lair in Farinon. Neon sign saying Leopard's Lair is displayed on the wall, with colorful chairs spread throughout the room.
The recently renovated Leopard’s Lair in Farinon has a lounge, two meeting rooms, two gender-neutral restrooms, and a multipurpose common room.
Blue chairs are pictured in front of the fireplace in the new Leopard's Lair in Farinon.
Photos of the new Leopard's Lair in Farinon. Neon sign saying Leopard's Lair is displayed on the wall, with colorful chairs spread throughout the room.
Photos of the new Leopard's Lair in Farinon. Neon sign saying Leopard's Lair is displayed on the wall, with colorful chairs spread throughout the room.

The recently renovated Leopard’s Lair in Farinon has a lounge, two meeting rooms, two gender-neutral restrooms, and a multipurpose common room. The new multipurpose student center will have space to lounge and take a breather between classes, can accommodate club meetings, and can host entertainment. The room is open, though finishing touches are still being added to the space. Students will be able to reserve spaces through EMS once the space is complete in mid-September. Details will be shared via Lafayette Today.

McCartney Street Housing–Phase II

This photo shows the ongoing construction of McCartney Phase II with the elevator shaft and beams constructed.The McCartney Street Housing project, which broke ground in March 2023, is the second phase of new residential units for College housing. McCartney II, featuring more than 160 new beds and targeting LEED silver certification, is projected to open in fall 2024. Current work involves steel and precast panel installations, along with underground utility work. Updates on ongoing projects are posted at facilitiesplanning.lafayette.edu.

  • An info session for students, and anyone else who is interested, will be held 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 7 in Hugel 103. MORE

Simon Center for Economics and Business (Kunkel Hall renovations)

Work is progressing on the new Simon Center for Business and Economics (formerly Kunkel Hall) with a target of LEED silver certification.The project remains on schedule to debut next summer, ready for the fall 2024 semester. Interior demolition has been completed, and interior wall layouts, along with electrical, mechanical, and plumbing, have begun. Learn more about this project and find ongoing updates at facilitiesplanning.lafayette.edu.

Submitted by: The Communications Division