Photo by Jonathan Pechon The spacious lobby at the entrance of A-400 includes a beautiful Welcome Center and computer consoles (right) where students can access eConnect and the DCCCD Web site.

THIS EDITION Volume 21, No. 1 January 30, 2003

Front Page

Fourth floor now open and serving students

This week, after a little more than a year of demolition and construction, the newly refurbished and expanded student services facilities in A-400 will open for use.

“I’m very excited,” said John Watson, director of facilities for the college. “This has turned into one of the smoothest projects of my career.”

The project has been completed well under the $2.1 million budget that was originally targeted. T.R. Hall Construction, Huitt-Zolars Construction Management, and Randall Scott Architects have put an estimated 85,000 man-hours of work into the project.

There was no time lost due to accidents or mistakes during the process, helping to keep the job within deadline and budget.

“It took a team effort from construction and faculty to blend everything together,” said Bill Bradford, construction manager over the project.

Student services such as Advising, Administration, Registration, TRIO, Continuing Education, Financial Aid, and the Testing Center have moved back into their newly renovated space on the fourth floor after being temporarily housed across Walnut Hill in the Hollman Building since last March. Career Services moved into offices on the third floor.

The move back took place between January 17 and 24, a few weeks later than originally intended. It was delayed in order to allow new furniture to be delivered, and to ensure that the move would not interfere with student registration.

The expanded facilities cover 27,000 square feet of area, approximately 7,000 square feet more than previously available in A-400, and 10,000 square feet more than what was available in the Hollman Building. What was once an outdoor patio on the top floor is now office space and facilities to house student services.

The new facilities will enable students to meet most, if not all, of their needs in a single location. New features in A-400 include computer consoles from which students can access eConnect and the DCCCD Web site. Another screen will display pertinent campus information.

A conference room is available by reservation and is open for use by anyone on campus. Admissions, advising, and all cashier services have been centralized and are more comfortable and accessible to students.

One of the biggest improvements has been to the Testing Center. The facilities have expanded, holding twice as many computers while still providing space for 40 written tests. Windows provide natural light to the room and a view of Las Colinas makes for a healthier testing environment.

Along with the return of facilities to the fourth floor, DART service has returned to Liberty Circle. Students can be dropped off at the main entrance of the school, rather than at the stop on MacArthur Blvd.

The move-in does not conclude the work being done on campus, however. Watson says work on expanding the south parking lot will possibly begin as soon as April. He added that maintenance on the roadways around campus to repair potholes would begin within a week or two, which will disrupt traffic until it is complete.

A feasibility study is also underway to determine if the old library can be converted into a student life center.

The largest project upcoming is presently in front of the DCCCD Board of Trustees. It is a two-year, $2 million project to repair water damage and update the waterproofing on the A, J and F buildings. Building movement and failed waterproofing has caused brick and mortar to crack in these buildings.

The repairs will extend the lifespan of the buildings by decades, Watson said. Allowing the damage to spread could lead to increased health risks for students and faculty and possibly necessitate demolition and replacement of the buildings within 5 to 10 years.

Repairs would also be extended to the deck in front of the P building, as well as the front of A-300 and the outdoor stairs between the third and fourth floors of the A building.

In order to minimize disruption, demolition will take place at night, with rebuilding done during the day. The dirt path currently leading up to the A building will be left in place for the duration of the upcoming projects.

No efforts will be made to rehabilitate that area yet, although plans are underway to begin rehabilitation of other sections of campus affected by construction.