On March 27th, the office of Kate Morris announced that following Commencement in May, a $30 million investment will go towards renovations and improvements to learning spaces. Many students have voiced their concerns about the outdated and potentially hazardous living conditions in on-campus housing. While the Facilities Enhancement Initiative addresses some of these concerns, it focuses on the aesthetic aspect of residence halls and student spaces. Bob Hance, associate vice president for facilities management and overseer of the project, says, “We want our students to take pride in their residence halls.”  

So, the Facilities Enhancement Initiative project will focus on four key areas: academic spaces, student life spaces, athletic facilities, and sustainability initiatives. The funding will improve classrooms, laboratories, and other academic spaces with state-of-the-art technology and equipment to enhance the learning experience for students. Student life spaces receiving these upgrades and enhancements will create a more comfortable and inviting atmosphere for students. 

The Facilities Enhancement Initiative includes sustainability initiatives, such as installing LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights around campus and parking lots on campus grounds. The University will reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future. By using LED lights, the school will save a significant amount of money on their energy bill and help the environment.  

Renovations include residence halls including Dean Eaton Hall, Lee, and Rebert Hall. Lee Hall and Rebert Hall are going to be among the first residence halls to be renovated. The renovations to Dean Eaton include fixing water damage on the roof and extending storm drains. The Owen D. Young Library and Sullivan Center will see renovations as early as the Summer. Kate Morris and the facilities team are collaborating with a group of architects from Albany, NY.  

Although the project will take a few years to complete Bob Hance says, “All of these enhancements will make our beautiful campus a more comfortable and secure place for our students to call home.” The Facilities Enhancement Initiative will also focus on investing in safety upgrades to buildings by installing card access to every campus building and introducing technology that enables buildings to be locked remotely.  

While this is a step in the right direction, one can only hope that student’s concerns about mold in the dorms, pest control, and cleanliness will be addressed by this initiative. The Facilities initiative is being funded through donations from alumni, parents, and friends of the University, and through the University’s operating budget.