The campus is undergoing another construction project. The office to benefit from the remodeling will be the office of the College of Education, located on the fourth floor of the Classroom Building (CLS).
Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management Ralph Zia said that the “place has not been touched since the 80s and is in dire need of renovations and upgrading.”
The entire renovation will cost roughly $56,000. The asbestos removal will cost $11,700, the construction will cost $13,500, and the new furniture will cost $30,800. The costs are being paid for through administrative and academic funds.
The renovation of CLS-4044 began Feb 19. The people working in the office have moved to room A-109.
The renovation will remove old ceiling tiles from the 1980s and install new ones. The lighting will be upgraded, and old cabinets that are no longer functioning will be replaced with new ones.
Also, he room will be painted linen white, the official and consistent color of the campus offices. The room will be furnished with new carpet and new furniture.
The office equipment, the only aspect of the offices that has been kept up to date, is the only thing that will not be replaced. The new and improved changes are designed make more efficient the usage of space in the room.
The removal of the asbestos will last until the Feb. 23. Severe health and safety precautions in accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Environmental Protection Agency will be taken to make sure the asbestos is removed safely. The office will be blocked with plywood and surrounded with warning signs.
The area will be sealed airtight before asbestos is removed. Air samples will be taken on a daily basis, according to Facilities Management (FM).
The debris from the asbestos will be removed at night. The construction workers will wear disposable clothing and using a special entrance and exit. The air will have to pass a safety test before the signs in the hallway will be removed.
Only after the asbestos removal has finished will the real construction work itself begin. FM estimated construction to begin on Feb. 26 and last until March 16, with it being furnished about the first week of April. The College of Education will move back to the Classroom Building 4044 approximately on April 9, 2007.