Construction Hubbub At Eliot House to End

Project manager James J. Donovan told a dozen Eliot House residents Wednesday that the construction noise that has kept many of them from sleeping or studying this week will be over by today.

Of course, he could barely be heard over the jackhammers downstairs.

Donovan, at a meeting also attended by the house co-masters, superintendent and dining hall manager, listened to complaints and offered reassurances that the worst was almost over.

"I can promise you that the bulk of the very disruptive and noise, dusty work will be concluded Friday," said Donovan.

Workers have been using two jack-hammers to demolish a thick concrete slab beneath the dining hall. During Wednesday's question-and-answer session, discussion was punctuated by vibrations and loud hammering from the basement beneath the dining hall.

Students said the cacophony has sometimes begun before 7 a.m.

Donovan said he was attempting to delay the start of the demolition until 9 a.m. for the remaining days.

But that only partially allayed stu- dent concerns. Allan H. Erbsen '94 said he wasin the midst of general examinations andconstruction at any time of day during readingperiod was unacceptable.

"For a number of people, the critical time isnow," Erbsen said in the meeting.

One student complained that the pictures on thewall of her fifth-floor room were shaking.

And Essence R. McGill '94 asked why studentswere not notified beforehand. Donovan acceptedresponsibility.

"That's probably my fault," Donovan said.

Co-master Stephen A. Mitchell jumped in todefend Donovan, saying the manager gave the houseoffice advance notice of the demolition. But healso reiterated that Donovan's planningoffice--and not the house--bore all responsibilityfor the project.

"The crew chief told me, "We don't work foryou. We don't know who your are. We work for Mr.Donovan,'" Mitchell said, making sure the studentshad Donovan's office number.

The House office had earlier posted signs withthat information, and another sign--apparentlyposted by frustrated students--gave the numbersfor his supervisor, Vice President forAdministration Sally H. Zeck-hauser, and TheCrimson, for students to register theircomplaints.

The posters worked; Donovan said his voicemailbox had filled up twice Wednesday morning.

The renovation of the dining services area,followed by much of the residential portion of theHouse, will continue throughout the summer

"For a number of people, the critical time isnow," Erbsen said in the meeting.

One student complained that the pictures on thewall of her fifth-floor room were shaking.

And Essence R. McGill '94 asked why studentswere not notified beforehand. Donovan acceptedresponsibility.

"That's probably my fault," Donovan said.

Co-master Stephen A. Mitchell jumped in todefend Donovan, saying the manager gave the houseoffice advance notice of the demolition. But healso reiterated that Donovan's planningoffice--and not the house--bore all responsibilityfor the project.

"The crew chief told me, "We don't work foryou. We don't know who your are. We work for Mr.Donovan,'" Mitchell said, making sure the studentshad Donovan's office number.

The House office had earlier posted signs withthat information, and another sign--apparentlyposted by frustrated students--gave the numbersfor his supervisor, Vice President forAdministration Sally H. Zeck-hauser, and TheCrimson, for students to register theircomplaints.

The posters worked; Donovan said his voicemailbox had filled up twice Wednesday morning.

The renovation of the dining services area,followed by much of the residential portion of theHouse, will continue throughout the summer