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Newell Hall Renovations Sure to Impress

by Eric VanLieshout

by Eric VanLieshout

Towson is one building closer to completing the 2016 Master Plan. It is always encouraging to cross objectives off of long lists, and certainly finishing a construction project is cause for celebration.

Newell Hall is one of the oldest buildings on the Towson University campus and is approaching its centennial anniversary. Built in 1914 and named after the Towson’s first principal, Newell Hall was the first residence hall on campus. Towson has invested $20 million in preserving the historic Newell and Richmond Halls. This project is not just about combating the effects of aging, but also about making the building efficient and equipping it with modern technology and accommodations.

On Wednesday, January 23, the reopening of Newell Hall was marked by a ribbon cutting ceremony and tours. Dr. Deb Moriarty, President Loeschke and Jerry Dieringer all gave brief speeches at the ceremony commending a job well done. Next, students led tours showing both the modern amenities and the preservation of the building’s historical features.

The renovation updated the building’s discreet Wi-Fi nodes, added room sensors that turn the heating or AC on or off in accordance with the room’s occupancy, added better cable and Ethernet outlets and installed new kitchens. The security system also received an overhaul, complete with hidden security cameras at the entrance.

A cozy lounge

A cozy lounge for studying or socializing

The rich history of the building, well preserved in the renovation, really makes the residence hall feel inviting. The common areas and lounges are small and intimate, often separated from the hallways by glass walls. The original fireplaces serve as the focal points in a number of lounges that are lit by calm lighting or large, elegant windows. Although these fireplaces are sealed and non-functioning for safety reasons, students will undoubtedly find creative ways to decorate and enjoy them.

The ultimate focus, however, is the students’ rooms. These spacious and fully stocked suits have new carpet, furniture, microwaves, refrigerators and windows that open (not all of the university’s residence halls have this feature in the interest of safety). Furthermore, no two rooms are exactly alike, which grant each room a special and unique quality. The Newell Hall renovation is but another example of Towson University’s commitment to better education and a better college experience.

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January 25, 2013 0 Comments Short URL , , Construction, Facilities

OTS Team Steps Out

By Samantha Knight

By Samantha Knight

The OTS Information Technology Support Centers Team (OTS Training, Web Team, CIAT, Multimedia Services, Instructional Design, and Blackboard groups) has made an effort to step out of the office and become more familiar with the people and places around Towson University.  Recently, we were fortunate to visit two different sites in one week.

The week started with a tour of the redesigned television studio located in the Media Center.  The studio is used for Electronic Media and Film classes, as well as for production of WMJF-TV.com shows.  David Reiss, associate professor in the Electronic Media and Film Department and technical coordinator of WMJF-TV.com, explained the updated control room and was able to demonstrate to us the virtual sets that are now available.  Some of us tried out the set while others stayed back in the control room to see the magic happen.  It was very exciting, especially for all the video people on our team! 2012-11-16 15.38.49

Later in the week, we had a private tour with Mike Harris from Athletics around the new Tiger Arena.  We took an hour out of the day and ventured over to the new building to see the seats being installed, walls being built, and many other projects that were going on during that time.  Mike explained where they were in the timeline and what will be built over the next few months. We’re very excited to go back at the beginning of May to see the finished product!

2012-11-16 15.52.08

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January 11, 2013 0 Comments Short URL , Construction, OTS, Vacations

Construction Aids Campus Mission

by Tyler New

The average college campus is about 440 acres; Towson University’s (TU) campus is 328 acres.  TU is the second largest university in Maryland with an undergraduate student body of 17,529.  Bearing in mind this size discrepancy, Towson must be judicious in its allocation of academic space.

The College of Health Professions (CHP) is facing a dilemma that is not surprising given the campus conditions: there is not enough room for the growing student population.  There has been an increasing number of health students in recent years: health professionals student headcount has increased by 50 percent, Full-Time Daily Equivalent students have increased by 39 percent and the number of Full-Time Equivalent faculty has increased by 38 percent.  These numbers are expected to further increase in the next 10 years.  Though the need for space is acute in other areas of the university, the demand is particularly pronounced in the CHP.  Through the CHP, TU graduates the second largest number of licensed nurses and the largest number of allied health professionals in the State.  Thus, attention must be given first and foremost to the CHP.

Corroborating these growth figures, the CHP experiences space deficiencies in every applicable Higher Education General Information Survey (HEGIS) category.  Especially problematic and in the most immediate need of expansion are the lecture and laboratory classrooms. These areas are not sufficient for accommodating new technologies that are important to current teaching methodologies or for accommodating an adequate number of students.

In order to remedy the situation, a new facility will be built and will consolidate the programs and functions currently dispersed throughout the College’s six buildings.  Teaching areas will be upgraded as “smart classrooms.”  The new facility will benefit more than just the CHP; related programs will be consolidated and therefore will free space for change in other colleges. Notable sections that will gain more space include the nursing, occupational therapy, speech and hearing, and graduate degree programs.  Progress has already been made with this issue utilizing the newly upgraded Linthicum Hall (LH), which is now equipped to accommodate the CHP.  In addition to new labs, LH currently has 15 classrooms that will better assist the students with their work.

Planning for the new construction is to start in 2017 and ground will be broken in 2019.  Upon its completion in 2023, the project will have cost the university $140,960,000.  The money will be well-spent, as the new building will improve both the efficiency of space use on campus and the quality of the in-class learning experience. 

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August 24, 2012 0 Comments Short URL , , Construction

TU Construction Update

Towson’s campus has been slowly changing over the years as new construction projects and improvements are completed.  One recently completed improvement was the pedestrian walkway from the College of Liberal Arts building to Burdick Hall and the rerouted service vehicle entrance to the Union parking lot.  But the major project on campus right now is the construction of the new 5,200 seat Tiger Arena!  Check out these pictures to see the most recent changes to TU’s landscape.

Pedestrian Walkway from CLA to Burdick 

Front view of the pedestrian walkway from CLA (out of view on the left) to Burdick (out of view on the right). The roadway leads to the parking lot by the Union and branches off from University Avenue.

New stairways and walkways which lead to Burdick Hall and the pedestrian walkway to CLA.

 

Tiger Arena

View of construction of Tiger Arena from the front. The groundbreaking for the new sports facility took place in May 2011. It is set to offically open on August 1, 2013.

 For more information about current construction on campus, visit http://www.towson.edu/adminfinance/facilities/construction/current.asp.

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April 13, 2012 1 Comment Short URL , , Construction

The Truth Behind Construction Detours

By Scott Guckert

Working in TU’s Construction Services department, I spend a lot of time out on campus. On occasion when I’m walking to one of our work sites I overhear passersby muttering at the walkways, saying something to the tune of “Who sets up all of those detours on campus?  What are they doing? They just want to inconvenience everyone and make students and faculty late for class, and staff late for work.”

For most of TU’s history, the detours we are experiencing today didn’t exist. But then a new wave of campus growth hit, and construction was necessary to accommodate our growing population.  First we constructed the College of Liberal Arts building and there were detours around University Avenue and the surrounding walkways. Next it was Freedom Square Plaza and the detours around the academic core as new walkways were built. Then came the new campus gateway and detours around the University Union and Burdick Hall. As if that wasn’t enough, there was a detour along the walkway from University Union’s east plaza to the Glen pedestrian bridge. To some, it seemed like a conspiracy to get people lost.

Well, I know who is responsible for the detours and I can assure you that they’re not a plot to disrupt the campus social order!!  It’s our team in Construction Services that is responsible for the detours, which are an unfortunate inevitability of constructing new buildings, bridges and walkways. With tens of thousands of students, faculty, staff and visitors on TU’s campus, nothing can be constructed without it getting in someone’s way. Detours are necessary to get these people to their destinations safely. As they say, it’s the nature of the beast—kind of like those pesky fire drills we all go through.  No one likes going outside unexpectedly on a cold winter’s day, but we do it to maintain campus safety.

Although it may not be apparent to you, our team members try their very best to make construction detours as convenient as possible for the entire campus community. A great deal of planning goes into each facilities project to minimize the inconvenience of detours, make accommodations for wheelchair users and post signage and other communications to notify the campus of upcoming closures and detours.

For the most part, the campus takes construction inconveniences in stride and we really appreciate that.  So while there is bound to be the occasional case of someone saying “What are they doing,” I assure you that campus construction detours are done in the interest of safety and convenience to all.  Thanks to everyone for their cooperation and understanding as we grow into 2012, and have a safe and happy new year!

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January 5, 2012 0 Comments Short URL , Construction, Facilities

City Center Progress Continues

By Pam Gorsuch

Construction continues to move forward on the outside of the City Center Building located off the circle in the heart of Towson. Crews are currently working on the glass “skin” that will serve as the exterior shell of the building. As you can see in the photo below, the shell is complete on two sides of the building, and the other two sides are currently under construction. The university’s College of Health Professions clinics are slated to move into the building in August 2012.

City Center construction

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October 19, 2011 0 Comments Short URL , , Construction

Campus Debuts Four New Buildings

By Pam Gorsuch

It’s the end of an era…or perhaps just the beginning. This week, TU welcomed students into four new campus buildings and a parking garage which represent the culmination of nearly a decade of planning, design and construction. Below, we take a look at each project and how far we’ve come.

College of Liberal Arts – Then

 Lida Lee Tall demolition

In April 2007, the university was tearing down the more than 70 year old Lida Lee Tall building to make way for CLA, which was then just a blip on the horizon.

College of Liberal Arts – Now

CLA ribbon cutting

The ribbon cutting for the university’s first academic building in more than 30 years was held with much fanfare this Wednesday. A range of faculty, staff, students, administrators and local and statewide governmental officials attended the ceremony, which was held in the west gallery of the more than 300,000 square foot, 80-plus classroom building. Speeches were given by interim Provost Terry Cooney, Interim President Marcia Welsh, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, USM Regent Orlan Johnson, First Lady (and TU alumna) Katie O’Malley and current CLA student Kelly Mitchell.

West Village Commons – Then

Future site of the West Village Commons

In October 2007, work was underway on phase I of West Village Housing but the future site of the Commons building remained untouched.

West Village Commons – Now

The completed West Village Commons building.

Watch out, Union—there’s a new guy in town. With Einstein’s Bagels, Jamba Juice, Coyote Jacks, Outtakes and an all-you-can-eat dining facility, the West Village Commons is quickly becoming a hub of campus activity. The 85,000 square foot building opened this week and has already become home to a variety of events and activities. An official ribbon cutting will be held next Wednesday, but in the meantime, don’t hesitate to stop by for a meal or just to check out the new “Union of the West.”

West Village Housing – Then

West Village Housing ground breaking

At the groundbreaking for phase one of the West Village Housing project, the only structure standing west of Enrollment Services was Towson Run Apartments.

West Village Housing – Now

The completed West Village Housing complex.

First there were two, now there are four…residence halls, that is. Residents of phase two of the West Village Housing project moved into Barton and Douglass Houses this week. The two new buildings contain more than 600 beds and serve as mirror images of the Paca and Tubman Houses constructed during phase one of the project. These four houses, combined with Towson Run and Millennium, are giving the Towers a run for their money when it comes to the biggest residential area on campus. Enjoy a great view of the buildings from the second or third levels of West Village Commons.

West Village Garage – Then

West Village Garage construction

In September 2010, the grounds of the future garage were being cleared to make way for construction.

West Village Garage – Now

The completed West Village Garage

A new 1,500 space parking garage is now open in the West Village area of campus to accommodate events, staff, resident students and commuter students accessing the campus via Charles Street/Towsontown Boulevard. The six-story garage boasts nearly 500,000 square feet of parking space, and features LED lighting, which consumes 50% less electricity than standard garage fixtures.

For more information about campus construction projects, go to www.towson.edu/construction.

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September 1, 2011 1 Comment Short URL , , Construction

A Peek Inside the West Village Commons

When the West Village Commons opens this August, it will boast eateries and event spaces that will make it a hub of activity for students, faculty and staff alike. As the West Village “mini Union” gets its final touch-ups before the grand opening, take a sneak peek below at the inside of the building that we’ll all soon know well.

The inside of West Village Commons.
When you walk into the building, you’re greeted with a grand staircase leading to the second level, as well as an information desk on the right.

One of the a la carte eateries in the West Village Commons.
On your left is three a-la-carte eateries, including Jamba Juice, Einstein’s Bagels and Coyote Jack’s Grille.

The all-you-can-eat dining hall in the Commons.
The second level is an all-you-can-eat eatery with an open floor plan that allows you to look out at activity on the first floor.

The third floor of the Commons.
Large conference rooms comprise the building’s third level, which also includes a spacious lobby providing space for cocktail hours or catering stations.

A view out from the third floor of the Commons.
The lobby boasts a great view of the ever-expanding West Village precinct of campus.

For more information on campus construction, go to www.towson.edu/currentconstruction.
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July 14, 2011 0 Comments Short URL , Construction

Sneak Peek at the Campus Gateway

Construction on the campus gateway is moving quickly throughout the summer. Here’s a look at how things are progressing for the new main entrance to campus.

A look at the new gates which will flank the gateway to University Avenue (near Burdick Hall). Brickwork is expected to be complete in the coming weeks.

A look at the graded area in the former location of lot 9. The area is being leveled to accommodate the new entrance and make University Avenue more hospitable for pedestrian and vehicle travel.

 A rendering of how the gateway will look when it is complete in early 2012.

For more information on campus construction, go to www.towson.edu/construction.

*Photos by Kelsey Roman
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July 1, 2011 0 Comments Short URL , , Construction

Construction Update

What a difference a year makes! Throughout 2010, TU made progress on four major campus construction projects. Below, see photos of how those projects have taken shape in the past year.

The College of Liberal Arts building in January 2010:

The College of Liberal Arts building now, in January 2011:

The West Village Commons building in January 2010:

The West Village Commons building now, in January 2011:

The Lecture Hall Plaza in January 2010:

The Lecture Hall Plaza now, in January 2011:

Phase II of West Village Housing in April 2010:

Phase II of West Village Housing now, in January 2011:

For more information on campus construction projects, go to www.towson.edu/construction. For information on construction delays and closures, see the interactive construction map at http://www.towson.edu/main/maps/.
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January 5, 2011 0 Comments Short URL , Construction

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