Campus construction has become a daily institution in the lives of students and faculty on campus, but to those in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and the Croft Institute of International Studies, it has become quite the distraction.
The Honors College is in the process of doubling its square footage through additions and renovations in order to accommodate its 1,250 students. The addition will provide space for the building to expand from six classrooms to 10. It will also open up additional space for more study rooms, a larger student common area, and an area to hold parties or receptions.
John Samonds, associate dean of the honors college, said their main goal is to add more public space and classrooms to provide students with the best atmosphere possible.
“We try to bring in 10 percent of the freshman class each year,” Samonds said. “So, the great thing is, there are so many sharp students wanting to be a part of the honors college.”
According to Samonds, the estimated completion date for the project is June 2016, and it will cost up to $6.5 million. Students are patiently dealing with the construction woes in order to reap the benefits of a newly renovated building.
Erin Hoevelmann, junior pharmacy major, has mixed feelings about the renovations.
“It’s dark, depressing and can be loud, but it’s an exciting time and can make a difference in the number of students in the honors college,” Hoevelmann said.
The Croft Institute has another purpose for their building renovations. Built in 1851, the Croft building is in desperate need of improvements and is focusing on preservation rather than expansion.
Some classes in the Croft building have been moved to alternate, less ideal locations. The noise has also become a factor affecting students’ learning processes.
In the coming months, windows will be boarded in order to replace the outside wall, creating a dark and gloomy atmosphere in the building.
The $1.5 million project has the potential to create disruptions until its estimated completion date of spring 2016.
According to Kees Gispen, executive director of the Croft Institute, these renovations are necessary, and well worth the many inconveniences.
“Because it is a historic building and it’s one of the treasures on campus, we don’t want it to fall down,” Gispen said. “We just have to put up with the inconvenience, but we’re happy to do that if we know we preserved the building.”
Although noise and overall disruption are a result of the construction process, one of the most pressing issues among students and faculty has become the absence of the Croft porch.
“We can’t use our porch. That porch is the main attraction, and right now it’s covered up or off limits,” Gispen said.
Lizzy Leary, senior international studies major, is willing to tolerate these disruptions.
“The construction is important to maintaining the building because it is the second oldest building on campus and we have to make sure that it is safe for future students. I do miss the porch, but in the long run, it’s definitely worth it.”
