In the absence of the student body, campus construction has been busy this summer. Members of the College community returning this semester will notice many changes to campus facilities.
First and foremost, the dining hall in Eickhoff Hall went through phase II of renovations, which transformed the inside completely. The upper walls of the dining hall, previously white, are now blue and gold, representing the College’s colors. The dining hall’s seating now consists of various types of tables and padded booths. There are also additional lights hanging from the ceiling and the lower walls sport different colors and designs.
“I thought it was fine before, but now it looks awesome,” Mark Weissman, sophomore international business major, said after eating at Eickhoff for his first time this semester. “I like all the colors they used.”
In addition to the aesthetic changes, Eickhoff food is now served at new stations located around the eatery. With names like Ceva Pasta and Pizza, C-Street Grill and Roscoe’s Tacos, the stations represent both the College and the food they serve.
The center of the eatery was already renovated from last summer during phase I, which included the additions of the salad bar and sandwich area.
The Brower Student Center (BSC) is in the midst of changes. The couches in the atrium were removed near the end of the spring semester but so far no furniture has taken their place and the space remains empty. However, according to Curt Heuring, vice president for facilities management, construction and campus safety, the new furniture has been ordered and will be installed in two phases. The first phase is to take place at the end of September and the second phase will take place in October.
Nevertheless, some changes to the BSC did take place over the summer. The bookstore has been renovated both inside and out, giving it a more modern look. Along with the atrium couches, the wooden tables and benches on the back patio of the BSC have also been done away with. In their place are blue and gold metal furniture. The same type of outdoor furniture can now also be found outside the main entrances of the building.
On the residential side of campus students will find that Decker Hall now has new laundry rooms and bathrooms. The main lobby has also been refinished. Allen, Brewster and Ely Halls have received new
shower stalls and thermostats. New handicapped ramps and patios were added in front of Travers and Wolfe halls.
Construction is an ongoing process at the College, and this semester will be no exception. According to the College’s construction website the demolition of the one-story section of Forcina Forcina Hall is complete. Construction will begin soon on the new education building that will be built in its place. Completion is expected in summer 2012.
The David Sarnoff Museum, formerly located in West Windsor, has found a new home at the College.
“Collections have been transferred to the TCNJ Foundation and are in storage until the new exhibit space and exhibits are prepared,” Alex Magoun, director of the David Sarnoff Museum, said.
The collection detailing the life of NBC founder David Sarnoff will be exhibited in Roscoe West Hall. According to the College’s construction website, the new display room is “substantially completed” and occupancy will take place early this fall.
Other ongoing construction projects for this semester include, but are not limited to, Recreation Center roof replacement and foundation waterproofing, roof replacement for Eickhoff Hall and Lions Stadium press box renovations. Green Hall is also undergoing roof replacement, as well as maintenance on the chimneys and clock tower. A storm drain is also being installed from the building, which will run across Quimby’s Prairie to Lake Ceva.
As for last semester’s proposal to build a series of retail and residential buildings near or on campus, no construction has begun just yet. However, according to Matthew Golden, executive director of communications and public relations, the College has put out a request for “expressions of interest from developers” for the campus town project.
“The proposals of those interested will be reviewed as a next step,” Golden said.
More information on campus construction can be found at www.tcnj.edu/~constr.
