UA-R-GC-1914-01-01-1985-10_Page-011

3. Dormitory Project. The architect is well underway in the preparation of detailed plans. In the summer the architectural representative of AID/asha, which is giving us most of the money., visited the campus. He was impressed with our architect and found the standards being applied quite satisfactory from a U.S. point of view. He, and AID/asha, were critical of the degree of arabesque facade and of the design of the lower floors of the bays on the street side. They also orally told me they would like us to eliminate one indentation in the front facade. I actually shared their views on most of these points. After receiving their letter we had a consultation in Cairo with the architect. He is modifying the decor and the bays but he probably cannot eliminate the indentation because we would then lose space. I anticipate that AID will be satisfied with the changes. My judgment is that AID's primary concern was that we might be building an expensive building, in any case that the building would appear expensive because of the arabesque design, and that this might cause Congressional trouble. The decor modifications should help avoid this. As to cost, our construction estimate is at the lowest quartile of U.S. dormitory construction. We also met a disappointment with Kresge, which turned us down on a grant. From staff members we .know that our request had been approved at staff level for $350,000 but that it had been turned down at Board level because of fears about Middle East stability. We have recently reopened the issue with them in hopes of turning that political judgment around insofar as it relates to Egypt. 4. Library. Chrome plated desk lamps have been purchased for the study tables in the library. The major problem, however, is lighting in the stacks. We had decided this summer to install florescent lighting along the top of each bookcase. The test instal­lation, however, was not satisfactory. The new librarian and a local lighting company expert currently are in further consultation about that aspect of the issue, and we may still bring in outside experts. 5. "Summer Renovations". Made possible by the opening of Hill House, a great number of summer renovations were made this year. Registration and admissions were moved to the area near Dr. Allam's office. Classrooms were constructed in the area vacated by them and new offices added in upper floors of the same building~ that part (western part) of the Sheikh Rihan building consequently now is completely devoted to English and ELI. The east wing of the building is now completely devoted to Arabic and Middle East studies, also with one new classroom and with considerably increased faculty space.