Around 2000, the college was planning a new science classroom building to house Psychology, Environmental Science, and Geology. As plans were refined, it became clear that Geology would be better served by some lab space in the new building leaving their office space in Palmer Hall. At this point the Mathematics department was given the opportunity to move into the new building. As tough as it was to leave Palmer Hall which the department called home for over 100 years, the prospect of more space with a coherent design won the day. Although it was late in the design process, the math department worked with architects to design a very open and inviting space on the second floor. Offices were placed around the outside of a lounge area where students could congregate throughout the day. The design was successful enough to generate continued admiration from visitors. Professors Jane McDougall and Marlow Anderson served on the building design committee and shepherded the department through the final stages of the building construction. The department moved into the new building in 2003.

The new building was named for Russell Thayer Tutt (CC trustee and chairman of the El Pomar foundation), in recognition of his long-standing support of the college; the library on campus is named for his father. In keeping with the growing college efforts to consider sustainability, the the completed building received LEED's (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Elaborate sensor networks monitor heating, cooling, and water usage.

Over the next several years, the Math department learned to efficiently use its new classrooms equipped with projectors and AV equipment, it's dedicated main computer lab plus a smaller lab for student projects, and its open lounge area where the blackboards are generally covered with complete and partial problem solutions. The math and computer science programs blossomed in this new environment until once again space became a premium.

Jane McDougall and Marlow Anderson check out the construction progress. (2002)

Front of Tutt Science building (faces the mountains to the west). (2017)