New and returning students should expect some construction when they walk into the University of Southern Indiana’s Technology Center.
The Tech Center’s renovations are exepted to be completed within the first few weeks of the semester, and are intended to improve the art department, as well as include USI’s theatre department said Art Professor of Art and Department Chair Kathryn Waters.
The university started planning to renovate the building during the 2011 spring term, with construction starting shortly after in July. Two computer labs, the offices for the art and theatre departments and about half of the lower level of the building are all undergoing or have finished renovation. A drawing studio on the upper level of the building has been remodeled and a new, larger figure drawing studio has been completed on the lower level.
“We are excited because I think it’s the second oldest or at least one of the oldest buildings on campus,” Waters said.
The rooms on the upper level of the building have been updated to improve lighting, flooring and wiring. The lower level of the building, which previously housed the engineering department and its accompanying equipment, will now be home to some of the university’s theatre education classrooms. Studios for acting, design and production will all be located in the Technology Center.
“We are thrilled to get these permanent classrooms after being sort of a nomadic department for so long,” Assistant Professor of Theatre Robert Broadfoot said.
The renovations were supposed to be completed by Aug. 22, but general construction delays have caused some classes to relocate until construction is finished, Waters said.
Broadfoot is teaching his Intro to Theatrical Production course in a Rice Library classroom until his class can move back into the art building.
“Things have been going good though,” Broadfoot said. “They’ve moved us, but for good reasons.”
Freshman theater major Kira Irons is excited to be in the course, even though it’s in a library classroom.
“I’m looking forward to the spaciousness of the new classroom and how nice it’ll be, but this one is still comfortable,” Irons said.
Most of the relocated classes will be able to return to their permanent classroom in the Technology Center by Sept. 2., but the dance studio is expected to take longer because of a delay in flooring materials. Completion for the dance studio and both the art and theatre departments’ offices are expected to be from mid to late September.
“We are very grateful for the upgrades and think they will just add more beauty to the campus and for the art and theatre students to enjoy,” Waters said.