Weinstein Hall

The 53,000-square-foot building provides state-of-the-art quarters for the University's journalism, political science, sociology & anthropology, and rhetoric & communication studies departments. The facility also houses the Speech Center, Debate Center and Integrative Journalism Center. Among Weinstein Hall's unusual features are a sunken entry garden, restoration of an original commons room and state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and research in the social sciences. The exterior features cloistered walks, carved limestone and Oriel windows. A central tower unifies the architectural composition.

The structure incorporates the former Political Science building and includes 38,000 square feet of classrooms, labs, research suites, meeting rooms and faculty offices, all in the University's signature collegiate gothic architectural style.

Weinstein Hall, which was dedicated on October 16, 2003, is named in honor of its generous benefactors, the Weinstein family. The philanthropy of the Weinstein family grew to over $14 million during the course of the project. Marcus Weinstein, R’49; his wife, Carole, W’75 and G’77; their daughter and University trustee, Allison Weinstein; and son-in-law Ivan Jecklin together made the new center for the social sciences possible. 

The University followed guidelines of the U.S. Green Building Council in building Weinstein Hall and earned LEED (Leadership, Energy and Environmental Design) Certification as a result. Among its environmentally friendly features are a system that monitors and adjusts fresh air entering the building to improve comfort and save energy; special parking spaces for carpool and alternative fuel vehicles, including plug-ins for recharging electric motors; and special mats at major entrances to remove dirt from shoes. The contractor also used recycled steel and other recycled contents.