On March 20, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf, a member of the Hill School’s Class of 1967, ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses. Although this was a proactive approach before other states would follow suit, it would also be an abrupt transition for Hill to adapt its construction and school schedule in order to comply with the order, notably many of the large projects that were already in place such as the Shirley Quadrivium Center set to open in the Fall of 2020. 

According to Robin Rhoads, assistant director of facilities capital and special project services, at that time, the Quadrivium construction was at a point where the building was not water-tight. The linking building that would connect the two Widener buildings, was open to the elements. There was still significant roof work that had not been completed. Despite Wohlsen Construction’s best attempts to make the building temporarily watertight, the building started taking on water from rainstorms, and some damage to the interior occurred. Fortunately, the governor’s shutdown order still allowed for emergency repairs. Wohlsen Construction then applied to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for a limited exemption in order to maintain the state of the Widener buildings. This was to ensure that the structure became watertight through roof repairs and window installs. Other efforts also included exterior brickwork, the installation of the vestibule aluminum curtain wall, and the insertion of doors. Work resumed on April 15 and was estimated to take four weeks to fully complete because of the adherence to strict physical distancing guidelines. 

Under strict guidelines, construction for all projects in Pennsylvania resumed on May 8. In addition to this, the shutdown of the entire country has impacted all manufacturing, so the fabrication of furniture and equipment that are going into the building is also affected. According to Headmaster Zack Lehman, there is a good chance that the facility will open on time for the Fall trimester. However, in the case that it does not, the temporary science building adjacent to the Dell can be retained for a few more months. Because of the uncertainty, while there is a strong chance that the Quadrivium may still open on time, there will likely be some minor construction activities that could occur during the start of the  2020-2021 academic year. 

Despite all of this, “the Shirley Quadrivium will be a first-rate building that will be the envy of those who do not get the pleasure of walking through those doors on a daily basis, regardless of what subject they teach,” said Senior Master of Science Bill Yinger. “I look forward to, more than anything, the first day, when I am waiting for my students in that new classroom, and you guys funnel in to get down to business.”

While the Quadrivium progress will be most affected, according to Headmaster Zack Lehman, most planned projects for this upcoming summer and school year will go forward, while some have even been accelerated. Accelerated projects include the Class of 2020 Patio, a new patio outside of the East side of Hunt Upper School, and some landscaping and tree projects. Unfortunately, other projects have been postponed because of construction restrictions or concerns that potential delays could be too disruptive to campus operations. These include renovations to the Headmaster’s Office reception area, Meigs House, and the Robins House.