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Post by okinawatyphoon on Jun 11, 2010 16:17:42 GMT -5
A new academic building has been confirmed for campus. The old union is in the process of being torn down and will be completely gone by the time classes begin in August. The classes and programs that will occupy the new academic building have not been released yet, but the building is on track to start as soon as the old union is gone. Here is link to more information on this: www.valpo.edu/construction/
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Post by vu72 on Jun 11, 2010 17:02:48 GMT -5
Exciting stuff although I'm guessing the student body would like a little less dust.
A Welcome Center is also scheduled to be built shortly, probably across from Kretzman on the west side of the main entrance.
Interesting that these projects will come about not via a major fund drive. Obviously the money is coming from somewhere and it is probably directly from a major donor. Then again maybe the new administration doesn't have the same aversion to borrowing that Alan Harre had.
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Post by granny on Jun 11, 2010 18:51:48 GMT -5
I like the new attitude....sometimes you got to think,"Build it & they will come".
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Post by 78crusader on Jun 11, 2010 21:07:10 GMT -5
My guess is the university will incur some debt in order to build one or more of these new buildings. VU has been ultra conservative in terms of taking on debt; I suspect this is likely to change some under our new administration. I agree with the approach (not that what I think matters). Paul
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Post by okinawatyphoon on Jul 5, 2010 20:31:37 GMT -5
A perimeter fence is being set up around the old union, so demolition appears imminent to make way for the new academic building.
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Post by vuweathernerd on Jul 6, 2010 14:04:53 GMT -5
A perimeter fence is being set up around the old union, so demolition appears imminent to make way for the new academic building. it's supposed to be almost completely down before the students come back in august.
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Post by okinawatyphoon on Sept 1, 2010 8:47:08 GMT -5
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Post by milwvu04 on Sept 1, 2010 16:31:45 GMT -5
The university plans to raze Huegli and Miller, but Meier will be renovated, Wunderlich said. The exterior of Miller always reminded me of the Alamo.
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Post by melmellis on Sept 3, 2010 19:53:38 GMT -5
Call me unsentimental, but I'll be glad to see Huegli go. The old union I'm gonna miss for nostalgia sake....I had some good times there.
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Post by okinawatyphoon on Oct 21, 2010 13:38:44 GMT -5
The yet-to-be-named new academic building has been approved by the Board of Directors and will begin construction "immediately." Once a center for campus social activities, the site of Valparaiso University’s recently demolished old union will soon find a new purpose as a center for learning. Valparaiso University is starting construction this October on a new building that will strengthen Valpo’s academic program by supporting the work of its faculty members and facilitating greater interaction between students and their professors. The University’s Board of Directors has approved construction of a three-story, 52,000-square-foot academic building that will add classroom space and consolidate faculty offices in the College of Arts and Sciences. The new building follows the construction of three other buildings in supporting Valpo’s vibrant learning environment: the nearly completed Heritage Hall reconstruction project for the School of Law, the Donald V. Fites Engineering Innovation Center and the recently opened Harre Union. President Mark Heckler said the investment of approximately $18.75 million in the new building will enhance Valpo’s academic quality and support the personal character of the University’s learning environment. “Valpo’s faculty members are widely recognized for being outstanding teachers who are dedicated to helping each student learn and develop a sense of purpose,” said Heckler. “The new academic building will support their work and strengthen the quality of our students’ educational experience.” Several academic departments in the College of Arts and Sciences will have faculty offices in the new building, in addition to classrooms and administrative offices for the college. Construction of the academic building, which is scheduled for completion in April 2012, will be followed by the renovation of classroom and faculty offices in Meier Hall for Valpo’s Department of Education. The department will move from Miller Hall, which will be razed along with Huegli Hall. Construction will begin immediately to ensure the project is well under way before the onset of winter, and a gathering to bless the project and celebrate its commencement is being planned for later this fall. Details about this event will follow shortly. Jon Kilpinen, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said the project will foster greater departmental unity by moving faculty into a central location on campus, while at the same time encouraging more student-faculty interaction by housing faculty offices and classrooms together. “Our students and faculty will benefit from the greater collaboration between departments and from additional opportunities for one-on-one interaction,” Kilpinen said. “The new academic building also will support interdisciplinary innovation as the University explores exciting new academic programs.” The academic building, combined with the University’s three ongoing or recently completed projects, represent a more than $110 million investment in the overall quality of the Valpo experience since 2006, Heckler said. “Combined with our outstanding faculty and staff who help each student chart a unique educational path, this project will ensure Valpo continues to offer a superior learning environment,” Heckler said. EHDD, the architectural firm for the award-winning Christopher Center, also designed the new academic building.
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Post by okinawatyphoon on Oct 21, 2010 20:14:47 GMT -5
I think the new building looks great and really compliments the Christopher Center. I've heard that this building is going to be mainly professor offices though, with very few classrooms. Calling it an "academic building" is a stretch, I've heard.
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Post by 78crusader on Oct 21, 2010 20:58:25 GMT -5
I doubt there are very few universities the size of VU that have as many building projects going on as we do -- three (new academic building, Heritage Hall, and the Gellersen addition), with a fourth coming on soon (the new Welcome Center). Some like to point out we rank dead last in football. OK, but I would imagine we rank pretty high in terms of new building projects. I have been on several college campuses recently -- all of which are close to VU in size -- and none of them had ANY projects going on that I could see. This administration is doing a pretty good job of increasing the university's profile, making the campus more attractive, and adding to our facilities. Paul
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Post by vu72 on Oct 21, 2010 21:55:34 GMT -5
I doubt there are very few universities the size of VU that have as many building projects going on as we do -- three (new academic building, Heritage Hall, and the Gellersen addition), with a fourth coming on soon (the new Welcome Center). Some like to point out we rank dead last in football. OK, but I would imagine we rank pretty high in terms of new building projects. I have been on several college campuses recently -- all of which are close to VU in size -- and none of them had ANY projects going on that I could see. This administration is doing a pretty good job of increasing the university's profile, making the campus more attractive, and adding to our facilities. Paul Couldn't agree more Paul. It is very easy to be critical. But, it seems far more difficult to praise the obvious! Go Valpo!!
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Post by blackpantheruwm on Oct 22, 2010 0:46:59 GMT -5
My first impression was that it's kinda small, but then I remembered that you don't have 32,000 students to serve.
That said, the drawings look bitchin'. Always psyched to see Horizon League schools aggressive in improving their academic profiles; in the case of Valpo, it's making a great school better.
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Post by vu72 on Oct 22, 2010 13:11:52 GMT -5
My first impression was that it's kinda small, but then I remembered that you don't have 32,000 students to serve. That said, the drawings look bitchin'. Always psyched to see Horizon League schools aggressive in improving their academic profiles; in the case of Valpo, it's making a great school better. Thanks, I think. Pretty sure I've never had drawings described as "bitchin", but presume until told otherwise that you like them! ;D
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