The Shapiro Campus Center will officially open Oct. 3 with a gala ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the new focal point of the Brandeis campus and thank the Shapiro family for their gift to the University of $25 million. The building's opening has been repeatedly delayed, but the University decided finally on the October opening date in June. "As we approach the formal opening of the Shapiro Campus Center," Peter French, executive vice president and chief operating officer, said, "I believe we should be focusing on moving into the new student spaces and on thanking Carl Shapiro and the Shapiro family for their very generous gift . which funded this magnificent new student-centered building."

Students have maligned the new building for being over-budget, as the final gift of the Shapiros was $3.1 million higher than in the initial budget, but according to Dan Feldman, chief of staff in the Office of the Executive Vice President, the final cost of the building was within one percent of what was agreed upon by the University and the Shapiros. The reasons for the larger budget, he said, were a series of enhancements and upgrades requested by the Shapiros. The as of yet unfinished library and theater are examples of these project enhancements.

Misconceptions about the building have also fueled criticism of the new campus center. The prepetinad copper siding, which earned the center such nick-names as "the Green Monster," was chosen by the architect as a cheaper, more interesting, alternative to brick. In this way, "it would not be a standard collegiate brick building," Feldman said.

According to Feldman, the size of the bookstore, smaller than in the original campus center plan, was decided upon as part of a "normal process" of budgeting, which was carried out between the architect, the builder, and Barnes & Noble booksellers, the owner and operator of the Brandeis bookstore.
Most of the clubs housed in the campus center have already moved in to the building, with mixed opinions. "The space itself is gorgeous, Leslie Meltzer '03, who leads Triskelion, said, "my biggest complaint is that it's just not done."
"Most student groups, when they see the space, are very excited," Alwina Bennett, associate dean of Student Life, concurred. "All of us are frustrated that it wasn't ready for the opening," she added, echoing student leaders.
"If anyone's ever had a parent who renovated a room in their house, then they'll understand that contracting plans don't always end as planned," Bennett said. " All of us have to be patient and supportive."
Nevertheless, student groups have been affected by the wait. The center has been closed for the past two weekends, and will be closed next weekend as well.
"We were expected (also) to move our computer equipment and confidential materials into an office without locks," Meltzer said. "Our pride flag was stolen because of this. It is ridiculous that we are expected to function normally in a space that simply isn't done."
"The building is a work in progress," Bennett emphasized, "(But) it's been a long time since student groups had state-of-the art , up-to-the-minute spaces on this campus.