Updates

Planning for new colleges moves forward

New Haven's City Plan Commission and a committee of the Board of Aldermen have approved Yale's plan to build two new residential colleges along Prospect Street north of the Grove Street Cemetery (“New Colleges Aim to Match the Old,” July/Aug 2009). University officials and the project's architect, architecture school dean Robert A. M. Stern '65MArch, presented updated plans for the Gothic-style buildings to the city boards last fall while seeking approval for a necessary zoning change. The full Board of Aldermen was expected to consider the project in late December. Fund-raising continues for the $600 million project; the university hopes to complete the colleges—which would permit a 15 percent expansion in the enrollment of Yale College—by the fall of 2015.

Plea bargain for former psychiatry resident

Robert Remington, who was a resident in the psychiatry department at the medical school when he was arrested on weapons charges in September (“Psych Resident Arrested with ‘Arsenal,’” Nov/Dec 2009), pleaded guilty to one count—carrying a pistol without a permit—and will serve a five-year sentence suspended after 18 months. Police said they found an "arsenal" of weapons in Remington's home after he allegedly threatened people in a New Haven restaurant. But Remington's lawyer argued that the warrantless search of the defendant's home was unconstitutional. Remington was placed on administrative leave at Yale after the incident, and his appointment was not renewed.

College seminars confirmed for the spring

Residential college seminars have been reinstated at Yale College for the spring semester. Last summer, college officials had suspended the program pending a review by a committee appointed to consider its future (“From the Editor,” Sept/Oct 2010). In December, it was announced that as the review continues, a limited number of seminars would be offered in the spring. Launched in 1969, the college seminar program offers nontraditional courses selected by committees within each residential college.