by Melinda Sanchez
Arts & Entertainment Editor
The new Hoover Building plans are underway, and will have, as one of its tenants, the Behavioral Science Department, hosting psychology, sociology, anthropology, and then graduate programs. The Campus Accelerated Program for Adults (CAPA) program, as well as the office of John Gingrich, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, will also be among the new occupants of the space, which is expected to be complete beginning the fall 2001 semester.
In December 1999, a letter was sent to all departments on campus making them aware of the plans for the College of Law’s departure and the anticipated available space. The letter prompted the department chairs, deans and directors to submit a proposal to the Space Committee. Proposals were also to include what the departments would use the space for as far as activities, the amount of space needed, and the overall vision for the program/service.
According to Philip Hawkey, executive vice president, several proposals were submitted to the Space Committee, which made a recommendation to President Stephen Morgan. The Committee met in a five-hour session in January to consider the various proposals.
The Space Committee, comprised of 25 representatives, voted which department would be best to fill the new space by using a list of 10 criteria.
Of the 10 criteria used to rank the proposals submitted three examples were estimated growth in the program, current impacted space and financial impact on the University.
Gingrich said that once the Law School has moved out of the current Hoover Building, then the University could start remodeling. The Law library, which is two floors in height, was converted to two separate levels. The building currently stands with 18,000 square feet, after construction the upper level will have 6,860 square feet, and the lower level will have 15, 330 square feet.
The finalized plans were made in May and initial concept drawings were completed on May 11. The drawings had to be submitted to the city in order to obtain a building permit, and once that was done, then the university could begin executing the finalized plans.
According to Hawkey, the cost of the renovation will be about $2 million, which will be issued through a $6 million bond issue the University took out in June.
After the renovation, the Hoover Building will have an additional handicapped restroom accessible through the sidewalk on Third Street for all students, which will be helpful for activities to be held in the University Mall.
