As construction projects near completion Wilbur Faulk director of Construction and Campus Planning briefed Student Government Association (SGA) on the status of the projects at Wednesday’s meeting and took class presidents and executive board members on a tour of the sites.
Faulk also led President Andrew K. Benton Vice President and General Counsel Gary Hansen Vice President of the School of Law and Dean Emeritus Ronald Phillips on a tour Tuesday morning.
Renovations to Joslyn Plaza Elkins Auditorium Appleby Center (AC) Rockwell Academic Center (RAC) Keck Science Center and the construction of the new 9000 square foot Elkins Annex is proceeding on schedule and on budget according to Faulk. He said the project will be complete- in August of 2009 in time for the fall semester. The total cost for the project is $24470711.
“I think [the new renovations] will foster a lot of community at Pepperdine because I think with the construction students feel really scattered said Junior Senator Katie Stjernholm.
Faulk engaged SGA members in a question-and-answer presentation that lasted nearly an hour, during which he displayed renderings and blueprints of the new facilities and gave a detailed update of the construction project.During his presentation, Faulk impressed upon SGA members of Benton’s desire to make sure the renovations meet the students’ best interests.
We’re all about the students Faulk said.
Stjernholm, a junior, said she was impressed by how much the university is seeking feedback.
I think it was really great how they asked about student input she said. They really care about what students think.”
SGA members provided suggestions as to how the campus renovations can best improve outdoor student life. Ideas included adding a “graffiti wall where students can display artwork and more benches, trees and grassy areas.
The construction team completed the basic structure of the new buildings, and is beginning work on infrastructure, including air conditioning, plumbing and electrical wiring.
The project is being completed in two phases. Phase one encompasses the construction clearly visible on campus – Elkins Auditorium, Joslyn Plaza and the new classroom building, Elkins Annex. Phase two includes renovations to RAC, AC and Keck, which will begin May of 2009, according to Faulk.
What we’re trying to do is find ways to build on an already pretty terrific campus Faulk said.
Renovations to Joslyn Plaza include the addition of several seating locations, improved lighting and an outdoor sound system similar to that of Smothers Theatre.
As a whole, the renovations will mimic the architectural style of Smothers and Friederick R. Weisman Plazas.
Everything we’re trying to do is to make the environment – both [the] learning and a social environment – more appealing and more friendly for students Faulk said.
A large sycamore tree will be planted in the center of Joslyn plaza, along with several other trees, planter boxes and trellises, which will provide greater shade for studying.
Unanimous approval met Faulk’s announcement that his team will not be planting more stinky trees such as those in front of Payson Library.
With the return of the fountain and new landscaping, Faulk said he expects Joslyn Plaza once again to be one of the most popular places on campus.”
Nestled into the slope facing Joslyn Plaza the new Elkins Annex will include four large classrooms. Three of them will be tiered lecture halls with 54 seats each and one will be a standard classroom with 43 seats.
On top of the annex students will have access to a walking terrace and seaside view deck which Faulk promises will offer “one of the most magnificent views on campus.”
The annex will also provide offices for the University Church of Christ along with new restroom facilities for the RAC AC and the expanded Elkins Auditorium.
Although students will still need to trudge the long way around Joslyn Plaza while construction is ongoing during the summer term once construction is complete -an inner passage within the annex will allow students to travel between Elkins the RAC and AC.
Faulk said the renovations to Elkins Auditorium focus on improving the three core functions of the auditorium: education cinema and worship.
A state-of-the-art audio-visual system in Elkins boasts a nine-feet-high by twenty-four-feet-wide reverse-screen projector ideal for live performances conference broadcasting and digital presentations.
The RAC and AC will also be receiving top-notch technology including improved wireless Internet coverage and more electrical outlets.
The RAC remodel will bring together the natural science faculty in a single location adding or renovating labs and classrooms.
“It is our goal to have the latest in classroom technology that is simple to use standardized and effective as a teaching instrument Faulk said.
Following Faulk’s presentation, SGA passed three resolutions for the freshman, sophomore and junior class town halls. After a dispute over whether to raffle iPods or give free T-shirts at the freshman town hall, the resolutions for freshman, sophomore and junior town hall funding passed unanimously.
International Justice Mission (IJM) President Allison Moomey, a senior, presented her resolution, seconded by Freshman Senator Clay Karels, which requests funding for IJM’s Keep Ignoring Burma Week on February 16 to 20. Moomey requested that SGA fund $2,070, the total cost for food and T-shirts to be distributed at the event. Because she had previously received funding from the Inter-Club Council for numerous IJM events, Moomey said she needed to reach out to other funding sources.
Because $2,070 would constitute 70 percent of IJM’s total philanthropy fund, SGA voted to amend the resolution to reduce the amount of funding to $899. Resolutions exceeding $899 must be passed by three quarters of SGA members.