By Kelsay Skaggs
Contributing Writer
Students at Palm Beach Atlantic University entered the new wing of the Warren Library for the first time on Sept. 8.
The newly renovated Lassiter Rotunda, which cost approximately $12 million, includes additional study rooms, reading areas and archival space.
“We have special areas for everything,” said Steve Baker, newly-appointed dean of the library, adding that sections for art, music and children’s literature are located on the mezzanine.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for December.
In addition to the library, other major improvements have been made on campus. For example, Pembroke Hall was converted from a resident hall for women into a building comprised of a computer lab, art studio and offices for the School of Communication and Media.
The computer lab has new Apple Macintosh computers, to be used by journalism classes that formerly met in Gregory Hall.
Although Pembroke received a new roof this summer, some work remains to be done. The stairwell doors and windows will soon be replaced.
Nearby, the women of Johnson Hall and the men of Rinker are also experiencing something new to their resident halls this year: both dorms now feature wireless internet throughout their buildings now. The rest of on-campus housing will soon have wireless internet as well.
According to Associate Vice President of
Facilities and Construction Gary F. Parker, “All corridors and common areas [in Baxter Hall] were re-carpeted over the summer and 30 rooms were re-floored with wood plank vinyl.”
In addition to the new carpet and vinyl floors, the exterior of Baxter Hall has been completely repainted.
This will be the case for many buildings around campus this year, including Pembroke Hall and the Greene Complex. Over the summer all building exteriors east of Olive Avenue were re-painted, Parker said.
In MacArthur Hall, the lecture halls were given new carpet and seats. Handicap access was revamped, with the large ramps removed from either side of the rooms, and handicap seating moved to the top row.
The Greene Complex received several upgrades, including new patio furniture for the terrace.
PBA will continue to have improvements over the next several years.
“In order to have an attractive, inviting and safe campus, there are always cyclical repairs and renovations occurring,” Parker said. “For funding purposes, larger projects are sometimes planned years in advance.”
Photo by Casey Elia
Photo by Casey Elia
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