One recent weekday, Christian Ponce, assistant manager for ticketing and community experience at the Yale Schwarzman Center, led six members of the Yale School of Management’s (SOM) operations team into The Dome, at the top of Memorial Hall. Once they gathered near the center of the rotunda, Christian pointed out the oculus, an opening in the dome’s apex, which allowed light to flood the room. (As he noted, the oculus can also be electronically closed to create darkness.) Christian then reeled off more features of the versatile space — theatrical lighting, a sprung floor, and technological infrastructure for projection design and videography.
The SOM team was there as part of a tour booked through the Team Experience Builder, a recently launched online toolkit for Yale managers that supports teambuilding, a positive work culture, and staff engagement. It includes access to organized outings around campus, resources for staff meetings or town halls, and links to other events and venues across campus and in the local community.
This tool made organizing a tour so much easier.
Since the Team Experience Builder went live in late February, over 40 free guided tours have been booked through the site. Jill McSorley, director for facilities operations at the Yale School of Management, arranged for her team’s tour of the Schwarzman Center, as well as one at the Yale University Art Gallery (YUAG). “I’ve always tried to do something with my staff,” said Jill. “But this tool made organizing a tour so much easier.”
For members of Jill’s team, the tours offered a chance to see parts of Yale they wouldn’t normally encounter. “This building is beautiful,” said Key Moore, a building operations coordinator at SOM, after touring the Schwarzman Center, including an exploration of its dining options. “I’m going to come back with my daughter and treat her to lunch at The Elm.”
Excursions around campus
The Team Experience Builder offers several in-person tours, each of which takes about 45 to 90 minutes. Managers are encouraged to book early. Events and resources change seasonally, so be sure to check back frequently for updates.
