By IAN BENJAMIN
Executive Editor
Students will have new technology upgrades to look forward to after the break.
The renovations to the Neil Hellman Library are nearing completion, said John Bryant, assistant vice president for facilities. Over break, the solid metal doors from the lobby to the Main Reading Room will be replaced with a single set of glass doors with full height sidelights, a new reference desk will be installed, and offices near the reference desk will be removed to make room for additional computer stations.
In addition to the new workstations, substantial technology upgrades will be implemented. The changes will include 40 new computers, 27 of which will create new workstations, nine new wireless access points and a relocation of the digital signage unit, said John Ellis, executive director of ITS.
New LED lighting will be installed on the first floor while interior signage in the whole building will be upgraded to reflect the new interior signage elsewhere on campus. Similar interior renovations will include new carpeting, new counter spaces on each floor for computer stations, and an increase in seating capacity through the installation of ottomans, study carrels, tables, chairs and soft seating.
Two new office spaces will be added, including one near the current Reserve Reading Room, and another new group study room on the second floor. As of Dec. 14 work on the two offices and staff copy room was nearing completion.
Construction work on the work-sites around campus continues.
Wood framing and the installation of spray foam insulation is currently commencing at the site of the new Huether School of Business. “The new addition should be completely framed in and possibly roofed with asphalt shingles by the time students return,” said Bryant. The School of Business will feature three seminar rooms, two large classrooms, an Executive Outreach Center, and Internship/Field Study Center, two study lounges, a new elevator and offices. Construction work is expected to continue through June 2012.
At the Centennial Hall work-site framing is nearing full completion. The building will be heated by geothermal wells, which have been drilled, grouted and capped. The installation of the pipes which will run between the building and the wells continues. Work previously begun on the parking lot is progressing with grading and the installation of the sub-base.
The aim for the construction crews is to have the building fully enclosed and heated by the end of the calendar year so that the inside work may continue throughout the winter.
ITS is planning large technology orders for the Huether School of Business and Centennial Hall, said Ellis.
The construction work at 399 Western Ave., which houses the Human Resources Department, has finished with interior framing. Windows are currently being replaced, with the installation of siding occurring this upcoming week. These improvements will offer a new reception desk and waiting area, more office space and a new conference and training room. The project should be nearing completion by mid-January.
Other smaller projects are also starting around campus.
In Lima Hall a new wall is being installed which will separate the Security Office area from the entrance lobby.
In the Science Building carpeting will be replaced with vinyl composition tile in the basement offices and Rm. 251, while in Avila Hall carpet will be replaced in the second floor office and the conference room.
Other miscellaneous projects include the replacement of the EAC water heater (there will be no hot water in the locker room and showers from Dec. 17 to Jan. 4); Rooney Hall will receive a new boiler, a new water heater and additional radiator in the first floor offices; removal of the wallpaper and new painting on the 1st and 3rd floors of 1000 Madison Ave.; and new power outlets in the Touhey Forum columns to support events held in that location.
ITS has select technology upgrades planned in Albertus and Picotte halls. There will be a new Smart Board in Albertus 209, a new projector and electric screen in Albertus 102 and new digital signage displays (the special screens set up in the main campus buildings). In Picotte Hall, four projectors will be replaced with DLP projectors. Digital Light Processing projectors are an improvement over LCD projectors in that they do not require filters, which reduce costs associated with maintenance. They also produce a better picture due to improved contrast ratios, said Ellis.
In addition, upgrades to the RAVE emergency alert system, the Camtasia Relay lecture capture recording system, as well as the Blackboard database servers will be implemented.
The Camtasia software is used to prerecord lectures and other course content. Faculty and students will eventually use this software. The second annual Technologies in Education Conference will be held May 17 and May 18, 2012.
