FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the main entrance to the Maureen Murphy Wilkens Science Center?
The main entrance of the Maureen Murphy Wilkens Science Center is on the first floor and faces the Cardinal Cushing Library side of campus. You may also enter through the Wilkens Science Center underground parking garage via elevator or through an entrance on the quad side of campus.
The new Wilkens Science Center is attached to the East Wing of the Administration Building. The floors in the Administration Building have been renumbered from 1 to 5 (previously plaza level to 4) so all levels correspond with the new building. You can access the Administration Building from the Maureen Murphy Wilkens Science Center through levels 1 to 4.
Who is Maureen Murphy Wilkens?
Maureen Murphy Wilkens is a 1956 graduate of Emmanuel College. She and her husband Frank Wilkens have generously supported the College for many years and we are proud to name this building in their honor.
What types of classrooms are in the Maureen Murphy Wilkens Science Center?
The new Maureen Murphy Wilkens Science Center houses state-of-the-art classrooms for all academic areas and 14 laboratories for classes such as chemistry, biology and physics; this includes two faculty research laboratories. The building also features a computer classroom, meeting space, lounge spaces and a seminar room.
Located on the first level is a tiered classroom which overlooks the quad. This space is a multi-purpose classroom for a variety of disciplines ranging from the sciences to the humanities. This classroom has been designed to facilitate collaborative learning and is equipped with media to support videoconferencing and distance learning. Student microphones are located in the tables at 45 stations and flat-screen monitors are in the front and rear of the room.
A 60-seat classroom and two 42-seat classrooms are also located on the first level. Breakout rooms on the second, third and fourth levels are used to support peer teaching/learning exercises associated with nearby classrooms and promote active learning.
Does the Maureen Murphy Wilkens Science Center have faculty offices?
Yes. There are office suites on levels 2 and 3 for faculty in the sciences and other disciplines. Each of these levels has conference space for meetings, tutoring and advising sessions for students, and student/faculty research meetings.
What are the meeting and lounge areas like?
The Maureen Murphy Wilkens Science Center provides a variety of multi-use spaces for students, faculty and administrators to utilize. The conference rooms on the first level can be booked online through the College's portal. There are also atrium spaces on the second, third and fourth levels - large open areas furnished with comfortable seating for all members of the community.
Did any administrative departments move to the Maureen Murphy Wilkens Science Center?
The new Admissions reception area is located on the second level of the Maureen Murphy Wilkens Science Center. This beautiful new glass reception area will serve as the welcoming space for prospective students. Admissions offices are on the renovated second floor of the Administration Building's East Wing.
What else is new in the East Wing of the Administration Building?
The East Wing has been completely renovated and brings together the new Maureen Murphy Wilkens Science Center with the historic Administration Building. This wing has new restrooms for both men and women. Faculty members in psychology and education have offices in the East Wing. In addition to Admissions on the second level, Academic Advising and the Center for Mission and Spirituality are on the third level and the IT Help Desk is on the first level of the East Wing.
Where should I park?
Along with the existing surface level parking lots and the Jean Yawkey Center garage, there is a new underground parking garage below the Maureen Murphy Wilkens Science Center. Access to this new lot is through the lower-level entrance of the Yawkey Center garage. A new traffic pattern will be established. Cars proceeding to the garage will now go straight past security and travel on the roadway between Merck Research Laboratories-Boston and the Yawkey Center to enter and exit. The roadway between the Yawkey Center and Julie Hall will now be closed.
There is no pedestrian access between the Yawkey Center garage and the Maureen Murphy Wilkens Science Center garage. Those parking in the Yawkey Center garage should continue to exit via the stairways to the quad. Those parking in the Wilkens Science Center garage can take an elevator into the new building.
