The other (scheme six) would renovate Pratt and Morrow Dormitories for freshman housing, effectively creating a second, smaller freshman quad, relocate the geology department to a new addition to Merrill Science Center and likely require the construction of new dorms to accommodate the displaced students.
Both schemes include the razing and reconstructing of both James and Stearns Halls.
The faculty debated both of these proposals extensively, after discussing new course proposals and a policy that will govern the way the College's technological resources are shared.
"We should really be considering how we want our students to experience this campus as a whole," said Associate Professor of Fine Arts Nicola Courtright. "Our space shapes our ideas and understanding of the world."
A number of faculty members objected to the idea of putting all freshmen on the quad.
Professor of Political Science William Taubman said that he was "not persuaded by the argument that not being on the quad is bad."
Lieber cited evidence that freshmen living in Valentine Hall, the only freshman dorm that is not on the quad, feel "left out of the freshman experience."
Courtright said that she felt having a single freshman quad in the tradition of the "monastic quad," producing an unfriendly environment for exactly the types of students that Amherst is trying to support, "gay students, international students, even Californians."
But Dean of New Students Frank Couvares reemphasized the need to have a single freshman quad. "Plan four makes sense because the freshman quad is a very good idea, I assure you," he said.
"What is the underlying educational argument that makes [a freshman quad] so important?" asked Professor of Fine Arts Joel Upton.
"Every evidence is that the freshmen appreciate the quad," said Couvares, who added that the plan would only bring the few freshmen currently housed in Valentine to the quad. "We can welcome them all into the heart of the College at the beginning of their experience."
"I would be bitter and disappointed if the freshman quad went through," said Associate Professor of Religion Jamal Elias. "Putting everyone together does not encourage them to be different."
Professor of Physics Kannan Jagannathan agreed that a single freshman quad would present "rather oppressive arrangements of campus living."
Jagannathan, Elias and Courtright all said that they knew a number of students who felt uncomfortable on the quad.
A number of faculty members also raised the concern that creating this quad would come at the expense of academic buildings there, eliminating two of the remaining seven.
"The last of what I think of as the science departments will disappear into Merrill," said Professor of Black Studies and English Rhonda Cobham-Sander, referring to Pratt Museum, which houses the geology department. She added that since Appleton Hall was converted to a freshman dorm, she has missed seeing members of the psychology department, which used to be housed there.
Upton expressed concern that, "The only people left in [the quad] will be the 18-year-old freshmen."
Professor of French Rosalina de la Carrera questioned the characterization of the quad. "I find it strange to find the quad being described as a utopic, communal space," said de la Carrera. "It's not a gathering space, and it's not a utopia."
Professor of History and American Studies David Wills referred to the possible constraints each of these plans would put on any potential future plans for the College to grow. "Particularly with buildings, it is important to think very far out," he said.
Lieber explained that there was an "underlying assumption that the College will not grow," but he added that building generously would allow the College to absorb small ups and downs in class sizes.
Professor of Jurisprudence and Political Science Austin Sarat expressed concern about the cost of renovating freshman housing in general, which has been estimated at $50 million. "I'd like to know what the implications are for the annual operating budget," he said.
Sarat noted the need for an increase in the cap on full-time employees (FTE), which is currently 165. "Raise the FTE cap as we raze the freshman dormitories," he said.
Before the faculty discussed the dorm plans, Director of Information Technology Phil Fitz introduced a "policy that has been in the works for six years," which outlined appropriate uses for the College's technology resources.
One clause in the policy precluded members of the community from running businesses using College resources.
"I write books for royalties. I teach an electronic course. Is that a business?" asked Sarat.
Dean of the Faculty Lisa Raskin said that this policy would not affect publication, which the College continues to encourage. "This doesn't mean to change that," she said.
The faculty also voted unanimously at the beginning of the meeting to approved all new course proposals.