By Jim Farris
Raver Intern
Amongst the hustle and bustle of beginning a new semester there are many things happening around campus. There are several construction projects in progress around the campus as well as a few planned for the future. These long overdue updates will allow us to move forward and remain at the cutting edge of research and education. The Chemical Building is being completely renovated, as well as the Paleontology lab. A much needed upgrade to the King Center and a road connecting St. Patrick Street to St. Joseph Street are coming in the future. All projects are slated to be finished by 2012.
Every student at the School of Mines takes a class or a lab in the 50 year old Chemistry Building before graduating and knows that it can get a little stuffy.
“The [renovation] definitely needs to be done,” said environmental engineering freshman Emily Squillace. “There’s no air conditioning or ventilation in there.”
The new Chemistry Building will allow students to learn in a more hands-on environment that the millennial student requires. The Chemical Building will be completed by August 2010. It will change the look and feel of the entire campus and it will allow collaborative projects between both graduate and undergraduate students. This will give students the skills and abilities employers demand.
“Renovations need to incorporate faculty who have civil background,” said civil/environmental junior Adam Sanders.
The paleontology department is also getting a facelift. With the only paleontology master’s program in America, the new facility will allow more space for storage of School of Mines’ vast collection, as well as larger research facilities, maintaining SDSMT’s world renowned reputation for producing some of the best paleontologists and geologists in the nation. The anticipated date for completion of the new paleontology center is May 2010.
“Renovations [seem to be] more focused on research rather than quality for students,” said Sanders.
The King Center is getting some new additions as the School of Mines prepares to replace the Old Gym and update the fitness facilities to meet the needs of the modern student. This project is still on the drawing board, with the ground breaking ceremony still unannounced.
“It’s a little farther to walk [because of the new construction] but I don’t pay no mind to it,” said nursing sophomore Leslie Whitehead.
Along with the upgrade of the King Center, there will be a new road put in that will connect St. Patrick Street to St. Joseph Street, allowing more parking as well as adding another access point to the campus. The anticipated date of completion for this project is also still unknown, as the total funds needed are still being acquired, but all projects are slated to be completed by 2012.
“A campus without change is an unhealthy campus,” said Dr. Sidney Goss, a sociology professor at the School of Mines.“SDSMT is making exciting changes that will enhance learning, economic development and research. We’re a campus on the move!”
