Summer Construction Provides a Campus Face-lift

Published: July 11, 2022

The Greenville College Facilities Department worked throughout the summer on a variety of projects with a direct impact on the quality of life on campus. Entries to campus buildings received new awnings, exteriors were painted, brickwork was improved, landscaping and sidewalks were touched up, and a new parking lot was created on Elm Street across from the Rec Center. Here are the details from some of the larger projects they tackled.

• Sims Student Union - The Lower Union has been remodeled from floor to ceiling - you just have to see it to believe it!

The Facilities department went the extra mile by doing a full asbestos abatement, and renovating all of the restrooms to make them ADA compliant. Though project time was increased, the Administration placed a greater value on long-term safety and accessibility for all students and staff.

As part of a joint effort with Ameren Illinois, energy efficient LED lighting also replaced all of the conventional light bulbs throughout the Union, reducing the electricity use from 70 to 15 watts per bulb. Ameren provides a financial incentive to help offset the initial investment, and the more than 100 bulbs will pay for themselves within months through reduced electricity bills.

• Burritt Hall - Originally built in 1922, with annex additions in 1946 and 1958, this summer's extensive renovation of the North Lounge and entrance steps of Burritt provides an updated feel and welcoming sense of home-away-from-home for residents. Here again, LED lighting replaced older bulbs, and additional light fixtures will make the lounge area more useful.

Burritt was also retrofitted with a fire suppression system, the final dorm on campus to receive this update. Each dorm room and closet was included in the new sprinkler system. About 60-70% of the pipes are exposed, while those in most of the common areas are enclosed in drop ceilings.

• Digital Media Center - A newly-acquired building on the west side of campus has been completely remodeled to serve the as new Digital Media Center, as well as allowing certain other programs to use classrooms. Workers installed a new roof, plus new exterior insulation and siding. The entrances are now wheelchair accessible and the doors are equipped with electronic card reader access. The plumbing and electrical systems were completely redone to modernize the building, and new flooring will be installed throughout.

Considerable technological upgrades and a collaborative classroom design will permit more efficient group work. Each of the six group workstations will have an LCD screen and projector so that students can cooperate and demonstrate their products. The lecturer will also be able to project onto all of the screens at once for teaching purposes.

• Holtwick Hall - Plumbing issues have been a recurring topic of conversation for residents of Holtwick, but that will change this year. The original cast iron pipes have been completely replaced with modern plumbing in the entire dormitory, which will significantly impact students' quality of life. The restrooms were also modernized with new floor tile, countertops, bathroom stalls, wall plaster, and paint.

• Ruby E. Dare Library - Replacing the carpet in a library full of books is a challenge, but is one the Facilities department was willing to take on. Significant student labor helped prepare the floors, and special equipment was able to move the shelves without having to offload many of the books. New two-foot carpet squares replaced 12,000 square feet of well-worn carpet to allow simplified maintenance for years to come.

The Library's exterior was updated with modern windows and new brickwork to improve energy efficiency, and asbestos abatement was necessary in some areas as well.

The Facilities department, student workers, and local Greenville-area contractors have worked long days and over weekends throughout the summer months to prepare for students' return to campus. Be sure to stop by all of the newly remodeled buildings on your next visit!