by Merritt Beckett
Staff Writer
While most students were away enjoying summer vacation, the University of La Verne did not rest. June, July and August brought continued renovation and improvement to the campus and curriculum, including progress on the Wilson Library and Landis Academic Center, new general education requirements and a new location for Central Services.
The Wilson Library and Landis Academic Center, built at an estimated cost of $6.5 million, will be open and ready for full use Feb. 1 of next year. The new library will double the capacity of the former library, allowing a dramatic increase in holdings and research space for students and faculty.
The academic center will contain 17 new faculty offices, 12 new classroom and seminar spaces, an art gallery and a meeting room for the Board of Trustees.
The general education task force created in 1990 received approval from the faculty last year to revise the GE requirements. Their goal was to weave the University of La Verne mission statement into the curriculum. The changes, primarily additions, include requirements in volunteer service, foreign language and intercultural experience. The intercultural experience requirement can be met through a study abroad experience or through the completion of an intercultural class.
President Stephen Morgan is enthusiastic about these changes because, “these components are the most creative and unique and will serve our students well.”
Central Services, which includes Mail Services, Purchasing, Operations/ Maintenance and a large portion of the physical plant, has moved to the Baum building across the street from the Oaks, on the corner of First and E Streets. The new space is larger and more effective than the previous location.
“We are able to serve the campus more efficiently because we are not stepping on each other’s toes all day,” said Clark Hitt, mail services supervisor.
The large mound of dirt currently sitting at the north end of Sneaky Park is the future location of an amphitheater that will be ready for use by the spring semester.
“It will be used for a wide variety of activities including informal gatherings, lectures, dramatic productions and musical entertainment,” said Dr. Morgan.
In addition to these improvements, $30,000 was spent on new mailboxes in the Student Center to insure that there is one for every student. The drainage problem in front of Founders Hall was corrected and the area was re-landscaped at an expense of $28,000, and a handicapped entrance ramp was added to La Fetra Hall.
