Workers begin renovation work on Library, Furman Hall
For some students and employees, the return to campus this fall might be a bit disorienting.
In recent years, hardhats, construction crews and silt fences have become as much a part of the campus scenery as majestic fountains, towering oaks and waddling ducks.
But this year promises to be different.
The constant hammering and roar of construction equipment, which once seemed like the sound of distant artillery, have finally reached the sacred center of campus — Milford Mall.
A sign attached to the exterior of James C. Furman Hall proclaims “hard hat required,” evidence that progress — with all of its exciting yet disruptive qualities — has arrived at academia's doorstep. Earlier this month, new faculty — gathered for a two-hour orientation in the new Charlie Peace Wing of the library — had to be evacuated twice after construction crews accidentally activated the fire alarm.
But this is Furman, a place accustomed to change. Installation of the new cooling system two years ago forced us to drive clockwise around Furman Mall, an unnatural and unnerving act. And many of us have seen the undignified muddy floor of the lake, which was drained a few years back to make way for the expansion of the University Center .
If history is any indication, we will bear these disturbances with grace and good humor. After all, most of us are used to it by now.
“Morale is good,” says Library Director Janis Bandelin, whose staff has endured several delays in relocating to the new addition. “Our library faculty and staff and our patrons are being very understanding and flexible. They know that this is a chaotic process that requires a change in the status quo.”
Workers are currently using a large interior crane to transfer more than 400,000 volumes to the Charlie Peace Wing. They have also started renovating the original building, which will be closed until next summer.
Construction work on the south end of Furman Hall began in mid-June. To make way for the work, the Religion Department, six faculty members from the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, and Disability Services have been relocated to the basement of the Joseph Baylis Earle Infirmary. Nine English and history faculty members and the Lilly Grant program are being housed in Johns Hall and the PAC basement.
Seven portable buildings have been installed adjacent to John L. Plyler Hall to replace classrooms that are no longer available because of the Furman Hall renovations.
Mary Pat Crozier, capital construction manager, says she has heard few complaints, although some patience was required when the PAC basement flooded shortly after offices were established there.
Renovation of the south wing of Furman Hall is scheduled to be completed next summer, she said. As displaced faculty and staff move into the new wing, others will be relocated to make room for the renovation of the building's north wing. The entire renovation project should be completed by fall term, 2005.
Then order and tranquility will be restored to Milford Mall. Right?
Not so fast.
On the drawing board for 2006: a new science building and the renovation of Plyler Hall.
Inside Furman is published monthly during the school year by the Furman University Department of Marketing and Public Relations. For story ideas, e-mail John Roberts, editor.
