Campus receives facelift

Jiu Guyin (olive green shirt), junior foreign exchange student; (continuing left) Lisha Zhang, junior foreign exchange student; Michah Foreman, OCC student, Melia Moore, OCC student; Nicole Segal, OCC student; Mindy Anderson, OCC student; Bethany Barringer, OCC student have a discussion in the newly remodeled downstairs of Spiva Library Aug. 31.

Jiu Guyin (olive green shirt), junior foreign exchange student; (continuing left) Lisha Zhang, junior foreign exchange student; Michah Foreman, OCC student, Melia Moore, OCC student; Nicole Segal, OCC student; Mindy Anderson, OCC student; Bethany Barringer, OCC student have a discussion in the newly remodeled downstairs of Spiva Library Aug. 31.

Thanks to the work of the physical plant employees, the campus of Missouri Southern has experienced many improvements and renovations this past summer.

“It was the busiest summer in a number of years,” said facilities planner Tim Dodge.

There have been many changes around campus including parking lot improvements, new and updated classrooms and a renovated library.

Parking lots 26 and 41, east of Webster were some of the focuses throughout the summer.

Part of parking lot 26 was resurfaced, parking lot 41 was seal coated and both parking lots were re-striped. The entrances were also renovated and widened. These improvements will help the students and faculty have a safer driving experience on campus.

Another major project was the renovation of the classrooms. For example, Reynolds Hall had a total of three classrooms that have been completely restored as well as one lecture hall, which has been transformed into a distance learning room. Cameras, microphones and broadcast equipment have all been installed. The room can now receive information from classes at remote locations.

The workers also completed many miscellaneous jobs throughout campus. For example, the flooring in the entrance of Stone Hall was replaced, new ceiling projectors were installed in many classrooms and many of the chalkboards have been replaced with marker boards.

For safety reasons, a concrete stem wall was put in surrounding the daycare. In addition, the sidewalk on the south side of Matthews Hall was replaced because it was a hazard in the winter.

Finally, the Spiva Library as well as the University Java Coffee Shoppe has experienced many changes.

On the north end of the second floor of the library, the government document area was removed, which was replaced with book stacks.

Four new copiers, three black and white and one color, were added along with forty-two new workstations. Also, the ceiling and floor were repaired and new lighting was added. The coffee shop was redecorated and given an entirely new color scheme, thanks to funds provided by the Sodexho Company. An interior designer was consulted to help decide on the final colors. The new color scheme, which includes purple, orange, green, red and gold, helps to add a more comfortable, less institutional feeling.

The students of Southern are enjoying the changes.

Library director, Wendy McGrane said, “Students seem excited and pleased.” The students agree.

Freshmen a sociology major Vanessa Rodriguez said, “It feels really laid back and it’s the only place to come to wind down and read.”

Dodge echoes this sentiment.

“We like to be able to make things newer and better for the student population and faculty,” he said.