Renovations ongoing in Garland basement

Starting in mid-February, the Office of Facilities Management began renovations in the basement of Garland Hall, which included demolition, construction and asbestos abatement. The renovations will affect certain student services offices, Hopkins Information Technology Services (HITS) and other various offices including the Office of the General Counsel.

Last year, the offices of Student Employment, Academic Advising and Preprofessional Advising, as well as the Career Center and the Counseling Center were moved into Garland after Merryman Hall was torn down.

Director of Design and Construction for the Office of Facilities Management Travers Nelson explained that Garland Hall is becoming a center for student assistance. He said, "We are currently renovating to accommodate student services." The offices of Admissions, Financial Aid and the Registrar are already situated in Garland Hall.

Dean of Students Susan Boswell said, "It is just easier if all of the student services are consolidated into a centralized place so that students don't have to walk all around campus."

Some services have been moved out of Garland, including certain functions within HITS, which were relocated to the Eastern Campus. Director of Networking for HITS Dean Zarriello said, "We've had to move around some systems in the computer room to prepare for the renovations."

Several offices will move into Garland from Shriver Hall, including the Student Accounts Office, JCard Office and the Business Office of the Homewood Student Affairs. Other departments have been affected by the renovations in the basement of Garland Hall and relocations to the first floor of the building.

The Student Affairs Office and the Office of the Dean of Students are currently located in Shriver Hall but will be relocated to Levering Union. Homewood Human Resources will take over the space in Shriver Hall after leaving its current location on the first floor of Garland.

The office of the new Dean of Enrollment and Academic Services and the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office will take over the space left by Human Resources on the first floor of Garland.

Registrar Hedy Schaedel said that the visible effects of the renovation began on Friday, Feb. 22 in the evening. Currently, there are plastic sheets covering the ceiling of most of the basement of Garland. New ceilings are scheduled to be put in during the next week. Nelson said that the renovations relating to HITS will be completed by early June and the other renovations will be completed by early August of this year.

There have been some complaints about the renovation from students visiting the basement of Garland and employees who work there. Freshman Maryam Pahlavan said: "I have to go to the basement of Garland to pick up checks from the Office of Student Employment. When I went there the other day and got out of the elevator, I almost felt like I couldn't breathe."

Schaedel said: "Every project has its bumps, but we are working together and communicating with Facilities Management."

Nelson said that there have been no major concerns related to the renovation. He said that the Health, Safety and Environment Department has been thoroughly involved in the process, especially with regard to the asbestos abatement and other possible air quality problems. He said: "The asbestos abatement is being done in strict accordance with regulations... carefully and prudently." The current asbestos project will be completed this week but there will be more projects in the next few months.

When asked about the planning of the renovations, Nelson said that to coordinate with the employees of the building, the Office of Facilities Management is now working on a day-by-day schedule.

Zarrielo said: "It will be terrific when the renovations are done... we are trying to improve the environmental conditions in the computer, such as air flow and air conditioning systems." He felt that the renovations have not caused any problems and have been fairly unobtrusive.