"This is bold," then-President Peter Pouncey told The Amherst Student, explaining that the plan allowed for a staggered reconfiguration of the College campus and would satisfy the goal of bringing all natural science departments under one roof, with both the psychology and biology departments moving into the expanded Merrill Science Center. "But you cannot stop teaching biology for any part of the year," he added, citing one possible complication.
Indeed, a rejection of any aspect of the Committee's vision could damage it beyond repair, since the plan revolved around a Rube Goldberg-esque flow of interdependent changes. In order for students to live in Appleton, for instance, the psychology department would have to move to Merrill Science Center, which would mean that the faculty dining commons then located in Merrill would have to be shifted to East Dining Hall. In turn, this move might only be viable if there were a broader upheaval and renovation of Valentine Hall. With the additional dormitory space afforded by Appleton Hall, the College could increase its enrollment by as many as 100 students, as recommended by the decennial Priorities Planning Committee.
The Student speculated that, "the portion of the plan that would most affect the life of the average Amherst student would be the proposed Valentine renovations." More contiguous dining and a new kitchen would be installed, with a central serving area replacing the four separate dining halls in Valentine. Subject to approval, construction was projected to commence by the beginning of 1995.