the Informer

A kitchen in one apartment in the Village 5s was updated with faux granite countertops and new cupboards. (Adam Manison | The Informer)

Over ten renovation projects and updates to residence halls were completed by the Facilities department while students were absent for winter break.

Norman Young, Executive Director of the Facilities Department, along with the many employees worked hard this winter break to ensure that all needs in the residence halls were attended too, but the renovations did not stop there. Numerous restorations were conducted in University Commons, Harry Jack Gray Center, Auerbach Hall, Mortensen Library and the Hartt School.

One apartment in particular caught the attention of Facilities. One apartment in quad five of the Village was revamped with new cabinets, counter top, and new flooring. Young said, “the kitchen there was in very bad shape…we opted to install new as a trial of sorts for both students and Facilities.”

A card-swipe access on the Park River West Wing door was added. Bars were installed to enable the addition of privacy curtains in the bathrooms of B and D complexes.

The Shaw Center project is running smoothly, and is expected to have the new building complete and occupied around the beginning of April. Young stated, “four new classrooms will be created on the first floor of Hillyer in the areas where faculty and staff move out of.”

Other projects include the University Commons dishwasher replacement, new floor painting and seating in Wilde Auditorium, renovations to include office/print room in the Harry Jack Gray Center, upgrades to the vending area on the first floor of Auerbach Hall, flooring and painting at two study rooms to create tutoring space in Mortensen Library.

Facilities advises shutting off all lights before leaving the room, unplug appliances that are not in use, and do not put articles in the toilet that would cause clogs. Just these few improvements would make the life as a student, or as a member of the Facilities Department a much easier one. Farrell said, “we need the community’s help with this.”