Students returning to the University of South Carolina Aiken for the fall semester can expect to see a new look across much of campus.
The university has over 30 projects in various stages of design and construction, said USC Aiken Senior University Facilities Executive Brian Enter. "Most of our projects traditionally start right after graduation," he said. "There are very few projects we can do during the school year because we don't want to disrupt teaching."
The most visible campus renovations and upgrades include:
- New flooring is being installed in the Penland and Science Buildings. The doors and walls will also receive a fresh coat of paint.
- New chillers are being installed in the Gregg-Graniteville Library.
- A new cooling unit is being installed in the Ruth Patrick Science and Education Center.
- New flooring, furniture, wall paint and graphics are being installed in classrooms in Penland (room 106), the College of Humanities & Social Sciences (room 113 &116), Business & Education (room 140), and (room 327) in the College of Sciences and Engineering.
- A new HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air, and Cooling) system, ceiling, lighting fixtures, and flooring are being installed in the Humanities and Social Sciences building. Phase one of the project is expected to be complete by Aug. 14 while phase two is still in the works.
- New wall paint and flooring is being installed in the common areas of Pacer Crossings. Projects on the second and third floors are set to be complete by Aug. 6 while work on the first and fourth floors continues.
- The Wellness Center hot tub and sauna area in the B&E building will be remodeled into a multi-purpose room for wellness center programs.
Other renovations include practical space in B&E to replace the existing gym with offices for the chancellor, provost, human resources, and the Center for Teaching Excellence. The College of Sciences and Engineering will also get a new machine shop facility which will support the accreditation of the engineering program and assist students taking the capstone and other academic projects.
According to Enter, USC Aiken was awarded $11 million dollars from the state last year to complete these projects and future ones. "This is the largest investment that the state has provided us since I have been here," he said. "It's been nice to have this because many of the buildings were built at the same time which means they are aging at the same rate."
Other projects in the works include installing an entrance road and parking lot for the future softball and soccer fields. Enter said there are also plans to replace Penland's roof and upgrade the roof and restrooms in the Etherredge Center.
For more information, contact Angela Saxon, Angela.saxon@usca.edu