Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 May 2017
Let   $X$  be an irreducible complex-analytic variety,
 $X$  be an irreducible complex-analytic variety,   ${\mathcal{S}}$  a stratification of
 ${\mathcal{S}}$  a stratification of   $X$  and
 $X$  and   ${\mathcal{F}}$  a holomorphic vector bundle on the open stratum
 ${\mathcal{F}}$  a holomorphic vector bundle on the open stratum   ${X\unicode[STIX]{x0030A}}$ . We give geometric conditions on
 ${X\unicode[STIX]{x0030A}}$ . We give geometric conditions on   ${\mathcal{S}}$  and
 ${\mathcal{S}}$  and   ${\mathcal{F}}$  that produce a natural lift of the Chern class
 ${\mathcal{F}}$  that produce a natural lift of the Chern class   $\operatorname{c}_{k}({\mathcal{F}})\in H^{2k}({X\unicode[STIX]{x0030A}};\mathbb{C})$  to
 $\operatorname{c}_{k}({\mathcal{F}})\in H^{2k}({X\unicode[STIX]{x0030A}};\mathbb{C})$  to   $H^{2k}(X;\mathbb{C})$ , which, in the algebraic setting, is of Hodge level
 $H^{2k}(X;\mathbb{C})$ , which, in the algebraic setting, is of Hodge level   ${\geqslant}k$ . When applied to the Baily–Borel compactification
 ${\geqslant}k$ . When applied to the Baily–Borel compactification   $X$  of a locally symmetric variety
 $X$  of a locally symmetric variety   ${X\unicode[STIX]{x0030A}}$  and an automorphic vector bundle
 ${X\unicode[STIX]{x0030A}}$  and an automorphic vector bundle   ${\mathcal{F}}$  on
 ${\mathcal{F}}$  on   ${X\unicode[STIX]{x0030A}}$ , this refines a theorem of Goresky–Pardon. In passing we define a class of simplicial resolutions of the Baily–Borel compactification that can be used to define its mixed Hodge structure. We use this to show that the stable cohomology of the Satake (
 ${X\unicode[STIX]{x0030A}}$ , this refines a theorem of Goresky–Pardon. In passing we define a class of simplicial resolutions of the Baily–Borel compactification that can be used to define its mixed Hodge structure. We use this to show that the stable cohomology of the Satake (  $=$  Baily–Borel) compactification of
 $=$  Baily–Borel) compactification of   ${\mathcal{A}}_{g}$  contains nontrivial Tate extensions.
 ${\mathcal{A}}_{g}$  contains nontrivial Tate extensions.