A senior student who wishes to remain anonymous found out in a meeting with his research mentor that his psychology research will need to be conducted in Lindner Hall instead of the psychology building. Next fall, the building on South Campus that currently houses the psychology and human service studies majors will become a child care facility.
Originally, the student said he was told he, along with other researchers, would be asked to move by the end of October, but the move has now been pushed back until the end of the semester. He asked to remain anonymous due to concerns of possible negative impacts on his future research.
The daycare facility was announced last fall and planned to open this coming spring. A location was not decided until earlier this semester, Janet Williams, vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer, said.
“There was a committee — a shared governance committee — that looked at several locations, properties that Elon owns, land that Elon owns,” Williams said. “We really felt that South Campus would be the best location for convenience to our employees. South Campus, in our strategic long-term master plan, calls for a lot of the administrative offices being in that area as well. So we thought it’d be a very convenient space for our early learning center for children.”
Williams said the office of the provost has handled all labs, classrooms and offices that have needed to be relocated. Provost Rebecca Kohn’s executive assistant told Elon News Network the provost was unavailable for comment. David Buck, psychology department chair, and multiple professors within psychology and human service studies declined Elon News Network’s request for comment.
In fall of 2025, the first phase of the child care facility will provide early learning and child care for infants, toddlers and 2-year olds, Williams said. Elon has planned for a capacity of about 30 students, which Williams said is based on a market and demand study. Elon has partnered with Vivvi, a child care and early learning provider, to run the facility. Williams said Elon selected Vivvi as it also works with Toyota to manage the car dealership’s child care facility and is 30 minutes away from campus.
The budget for the renovation is close to $2 million, Williams said. Once the space opens, parents sending children to the facility will pay a tuition fee directly to Vivvi, which Elon will partially subsidize for its employees.
The student said while he was not given a reason why research for psychology specifically was relocated, he said he assumes it is because psychology is seen as an easier science to move. Psychology is Elon’s second-most popular major with 490 students, according to data from Elon’s Fall 2024 Registrar’s Report. Psychology has remained in the top four majors for the past 10 years according to recent registrar reports.
He said his research is mainly audio- and video-based. His new room location in Lindner does not have a door yet and has a vending machine in it, he said.
“There’s a general belief toward psychology that it is a science that can be done anywhere,” he said. “It’s just not how people work. People work in acting conditions and certain stuff. I can’t have a fridge behind me and be taken seriously and do actual research.”
He said he knows other professors and students may be more than him affected as some have specialized machinery and equipment that is necessary for their research, which will require more time and effort to move. He said he has also heard many professors have delayed their research to avoid having to move after starting.
He said while he is happy to know he will have a space somewhere on campus, he was initially nervous he would not be able to complete his research, something he has relied on completing in order to fulfill his graduation requirements and walk in the spring.
“Not that there wouldn’t be a solution, but if there wasn’t a solution, then what does that mean for me?” he said.