Hak-gwan, located near the Back Gate of the campus and traditionally home to the College of Liberal Arts, commenced its lectures and activities in the 2023 fall semester following the completion of its reconstruction. The Hak-gwan renovations had continued for more than two years since February 2021, with the overlap of the COVID-19 outbreak, causing the completion to be considerably delayed.
The newly renovated Hak-gwan boasts nine floors in total, including one belowground, fully equipped with spacious lecture halls, student lounges, two Ewha Stores, a computer lab, and soundproof windows for an improved academic environment.
The official dedication ceremony took place Aug. 30, where school officials, alumni, and donors were invited to take a full tour of the building.
Saebyeol Park, a sophomore from the Division of International Studies and an Ewha Campus Leader, expressed her excitement during the dedication ceremony.
“The building is incredibly large and well-structured,” she said. “I was able to receive a tour of the building during the ceremony, and I was surprised by the beautiful interior and thoroughly planned facilities for students.”
Park was particularly impressed by the lecture room that seats up to 400 students, the largest on campus, and the numerous study lounges and rest areas. She also appreciated the usage of Ewha Green in the building's design, as it resonated with the university’s official color.
Professor Emmanuel Nicolas from the Department of French Language & Literature shared his experience returning to the new Hak-gwan.
During the renovation period, most of Professor Nicolas’s classes were held in the Ewha Campus Complex (ECC) or the Ewha-POSCO Building. Although the school was supportive with the allocation of classrooms, he admitted that he occasionally felt as if his department was alienated and at a loss for a sense of belonging with the absence of a dedicated space for him and his students.
“We, as liberal arts majors, tend to hold a strong bond with the Hak-gwan building itself,” he said. “It holds a symbolic meaning for us.”
Professor Nicolas praised the reconstructed Hak-gwan for its improved lecture halls and convenient navigation. Gesturing to the floor-to- ceiling whiteboard taking up the entire wall directly behind his podium, he emphasized the enhanced practicality of the new learning environment and expressed hope that new students could take full advantage of the upgraded features the Hak-gwan had to offer.
Won Hayeon, a sophomore majoring in French Language & Literature, also described her first impressions of the newly renovated Hak-gwan.
“I liked that there were chairs and desks in each corridor, making it convenient to sit down and do tasks during breaks between lectures,” she commented. “I particularly appreciated the Chung Ii-sook Hall on the fourth floor, because it is spacious and study- friendly.”
Kim Minseo, a junior majoring in Chinese Language & Literature and co-representative of her major’s student council, shared insights regarding her experiences during the reconstruction period and her thoughts on the new building. During the extensive reconstruction period, she encountered challenges related to the absence of dedicated spaces for liberal arts majors.
“Because I commute to school, I needed a place to leave my belongings during the day, but there was no suitable space available,” Kim disclosed. “This forced me to carry heavy bags throughout the day, which was both inconvenient and physically demanding.”
Moreover, the lack of spaces for liberal arts students had disrupted the seamless operation of academic and extracurricular activities. As a member of her department’s student council, Kim faced difficulties organizing council activities. Because there had been no student rooms available for her major, she had to store student council materials in the Humanities Building and reserve separate classrooms to conduct meetings.
The completion of the Hak-gwan reconstruction brought significant relief to Kim. She expressed her satisfaction that there is now a comfortable space where she and her fellow students can spend their free time in between classes. This newfound space not only serves as a sanctuary for students but also fosters a sense of community among those majoring in liberal arts.
While there was widespread appreciation of the renovated Hak- gwan, some students have raised concerns and offered additional suggestions. Kim pointed out the complex layout of the Hak-gwan building and suggested additional signage to help newcomers readily navigate the building. Furthermore, she showed concerns about high humidity on the underground floor, where the study rooms are located, and expressed need for support from the university in addressing this issue.