In his first faculty meeting as Dean of the Conservatory, David Stull described Oberlin’s Conservatory as the College’s “greatest asset” and looked toward the institution’s future in terms of physical construction and strategic planning.

After a presentation on the use of Blackboard and the Kendal Recital series, Associate Dean Marci Alegant discussed the new first-year class of the Conservatory, which includes 179 students, a 20 percent increase over last year.

Alegant said that due to the fact that a record number of first-years have already completed music theory, more spaces would be available for College musicians.

Stull then went over the potential physical changes to the Conservatory this year, which include a new green room for Kulas Recital Hall and a renovated ensemble works library.

The largest potential change would be the construction of new jazz facilities at Crane Pool. (See article on front page.)

“The idea would be to renovate the shell and put in winger classrooms,” he said.

Stull was sure to point out that the Crane facility will only be the jazz department’s temporary home until the Conservatory itself can be expanded.

“This is space that can be captured for other uses,” he said.

Stull also discussed the Conservatory’s place within the strategic planning process which will come to fruition this year. He said that the Conservatory was making out “very well” within the process but that they must work hard to assure that the institution’s development is a top priority.

“It is not just space that constrains us, but obsolescence.”