Several changes were made over the break. “The construction crews finished the footers and brought the area in front of the RMPR up to grade,” said Geoff Beers, Chief Operating Officer. The crew also continued to work on the footers and walls for the new open recreational area, as well as complete the concrete walls of the mechanical room.

This week, the steel skeleton of the addition will begin to go up. This is the reason the crane is in front of the SMC. It is used to place the steel framework.

Students should not worry about any disruptions in the SMC, other than occasional construction noise. The Student Memorial Center will operate normally through the spring semester.

On May 10, 2010, the SMC will close with the exception of the University Store, textbook room, and copy shop. “The fitness center will close for the summer to do overhead work in the ground floor areas,” Beers said. The fitness center will re-open for the fall 2010 semester.

Related posts:

1. Millersville construction throughout campus: what is next? Orange fences, blocked roadways, and confused faces are a common...
2. Is the University improving? It is great to be back writing for the Snapper...
3. Staff Editorial: Where is the money coming from? The construction around campus is not the most pleasant of...

This is due to a proposed ten year plan that will make many changes all over the Millersville University campus.

The goals, as stated by the proposed plan available on the university website, for this massive construction project are:

To accommodate an increase in Graduate students as well as an increase in undergraduate programs.

To address traffic and parking issues.

To improve athletic facilities and address current and future needs.

To improve deficiencies in facilities and infrastructure.

There are many proposed steps to achieve these goals and they are arranged in three phases.

In the first phase, which involves the first five years of work, one of the plans is to address pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

According to the plan the campus will become a pedestrian campus, in which walking is the preferred method of travel between destinations.
Safety is the main issue with pedestrian traffic. The plan will minimize the frequency of pedestrian and vehicle conflict.

East Fredrick Street will be closed to vehicles in phases and eventually the creation of a pedestrian mall will be located there from George Street to Pucillo Drive.

The proposed plan also notes that this area can be used for vehicle traffic in case of emergency as well as move in and move out days.

This will encourage pedestrian crossings off of the George Street and Fredrick Street intersection and move them to the Shenks intersection that holds a pedestrian island.

Until the shift is made, campus police will be directing traffic and pedestrian crossings.

The southern end of George Street will be closed passed James Street to allow a pedestrian path and plaza to be built at that location.

The construction outside of the Student Memorial Center

Plans also include the creation of more pathways to deter pedestrian movements away from parking lots and into safer areas.

Another section includes building additions, renovations, and other campus wide improvements.

Some of these improvements involve the replacement of Lenhardt and Burrows halls with new “living-learning Residence halls” on either James or Prince Street, or kept at their current location.

Improvements will occur in Lyle Hall dining due to a projected increase of residents on the West Academic commons, as well as improve the Southern Quad through landscaping around the field and adding recreational courts between the buildings.

One of the visible changes that started this summer include a removal of the existing traffic light at the intersection of George Street and Fredrick Street, and the implementation of stop signs at this intersection.

This is just one step in the proposition for this intersection.

Sidewalks along these roads will be widened for new traffic signals as well as better roadway lighting.

The new traffic light will have pedestrian countdown timers and vocals for the visually impaired.

There will also be a “red-light pedestrian scramble” mode where all four sides of the light will be red and pedestrians will cross whichever way they need to go.

This will eliminate the dangers of road crossings for both
pedestrians and drivers.

Other important changes in phase one of the plan will include renovations and an addition to the Student Memorial Center, as well as renovations and additions to the Visual and Performing Arts center.

Ganser Library will also be receiving a renovation and entrance addition.

Mechanical maintenance will occur at Jefferson Hall while Brooks Hall will also be renovated.

In phase two, which covers the next five years up to the ten year mark, a visitor’s center will be built on the corner of George Street and Cottage Street.

Additionally, work will be made in phase two on Pucillo and its athletic fields.

A practice facility will be built at Biemesderfer Stadium and Chryst Field.

Adding two new buildings on the East Academic Commons is also in the plans as well as a conversion from electric to gas energy and will have a central electricity plant for the campus.

Phase three will cover any additional years past the ten year mark and will include the building of Centennial Drive Residence Halls and Centennial Drive road alignment changes and surface parking.

More information about the SMC renovation can be obtained by visiting the center and inquiring at the information desk.

Additional information and details about the construction plans can be obtained on the Millersville University website.

Related posts:

1. Is the University improving? It is great to be back writing for the Snapper...
2. SMC construction updates Due to harsh weather conditions, the SMC renovations are behind...
3. Wise Words for Freshman The sight of so many new faces around campus has...

Along with my initial joy of  being back on campus for the semester, I was also pleasantly surprised to see improvements being made this year.

While the construction may be inconvenient for students at times, I am still happy to see that the campus is being updated.

Perhaps the best improvement to the campus is the addition of turning lanes at the intersection by the Ganser Library. The hassle of trying to turn left in traffic will soon be eliminated by the addition of a directional light.

Currently, the four-way stop provides decent traffic flow with the help of a police officer, but it is still better than the old days of a traffic jammed intersection.

Along with the directional lanes, the bricked crosswalks are a nice aesthetic touch to the otherwise dull white crosswalk pattern we see far too often in the city.

The remodeling and expansion of the Student Memorial Center (SMC) will be interesting when finished, however I see a small problem with the additions being made.

While the SMC is a multipurpose building (fitness, meeting rooms, etc), it does not see nearly the amount of student overload as a dining hall.

Gordinier, as large as it is, is still too small for sufficient student seating. I believe expanding Gordinier, rather than the SMC, would have been a better choice for improvement.

The school’s improvement to the gym will also be a welcomed addition by students who frequent the facility.

However, I do know a few students who prefer to use dumbbells when lifting. They would like to have heavier dumbbells to use, but once the weights exceed a certain size the school has to pay more liability insurance for the increased risk.

In an effort to save money, the school does not carry larger dumbbells. I think there are plenty of other students who would like to see larger dumbbells in the gym.  Perhaps the school will consider this as a future improvement.

Overall I think the school is doing well with the updates on campus, but there are other areas that could use attention.

Here is looking forward to a good school year full of improvements.

Related posts:

1. Millersville construction throughout campus: what is next? Orange fences, blocked roadways, and confused faces are a common...
2. Millersville University ranked in the top 100 masters north This year, Millersville University rose to the top of the...
3. Wise Words for Freshman The sight of so many new faces around campus has...

Thanks to the efforts of the Jazz ensemble directed by Keith Wiley, the ever-diverse sound of jazz came to Millersville.

With a decent size turnout both the MU Jazz Ensemble and the Jazz band, Shefftet gave a spectacular performance. The show began and ended with jazz numbers entertaining to those who are not even normally crazy about the music genre.

The performers put a lot of soul into the music and made sure to keep the feel of the concert lively and upbeat. The show started with the Jazz ensemble performing songs such as: The Jeep is Jumpin a very lively beated tune along with mellow songs such as Come Rain Come Shine.

They closed their first section with a Jazz dance-floor classic, Mambo Madness. Each song was meant to give a different taste of the music genre. No two were alike, but all were played well. The Jazz ensemble here at MU put together a very diverse set of jazz pieces.

MU's Jazz Ensemble plays lively tunes in the MPR. Photo by Christian Shuts.

This was followed by a small performance of the jazz band, Shefftet. They announced their selections on stage and presented three wonderful songs. Song from My Father was their first selection, which was the quintessence of a Jazz club feel.

They let the smooth rhythm and melody play through the multi-purpose room in a way only jazz can do. The next song they played was called Autumn Leaves that had a more groovy, yet soft melody.

It lulled the audience into a sleepy security and then shocked them back awake by noding with Mercy Mercy Mercy, which a was pizzazz- type jazz. The piece was very upbeat and pleasant to listen to.

After a 10 minute intermission, the MU Jazz ensemble took to the stage once again and performed three last songs. These were East Avenue stroll, a feel-good jazz song, Night Owl, a relaxing and moving jazz song. The ensemble closing the program with Blowtorch, a song that seemed like the beat itself was on fire.

Solos were performed by Steve Hannaford, Nate Petley, Ben Young, Josh Marti, Marc Campolongo, Jon Mayowell, Dominic Billett, Nathan Sheffer, John Maurer, John Salvastinuk and Geoff Lang. Each performer brought something new to the show and the solos were very well played.

“I always come to listen to jazz it is always so great to relax and to take your mind off school work. They did it justice. Just that combination of fast dance rhythm and calm melodies that really represent jazz and they nailed it,” said Christen Reimbold.

I have never really paid too much attention to jazz music. Yet after going to this and hearing this music I now have a new respect for this music genre. The Jazz Ensemble and Shefftet have done a spectacular job in showing off the qualities that represent jazz. To dance, relax and to have an all around good time.

No related posts.

The SMC renovation, the recent MU Alert last weekend, and how to register for classes next semester.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Senate, as part of their agenda, invited different groups around the university to talk about certain issues on campus.

The Registrar’s office was invited to speak and address questions that were put together by the students about registering for classes and the common questions that are associated with that process.

The questions ranged from the system that is used in registering for classes, early preference for classes, and also how a withdraw from a class looks on a transcript.

Candy Dean, representative from the Registrars office, first addressed the system that is used and how the wait list for classes could be greatly diminished.

“This is one of the biggest changes to the systems that we’re making,” said Dean. “We developed our own system and we’re trying to make the updates more appealing to students.”

Dean also went on to say that many times students decide at the last minute they do not want to take a certain class, the new system will make it easier to drop that class and possibly find a new class, with a diminished wait list.

Another issue that the Senate dealt with was the early preference that some student groups have in registering for classes.

Traditionally, the class preferences were reserved for students with learning and physical disabilities, which then expanded into the athletes and honor’s college students, because they would have to schedule classes around practices.

There are certain classes that the honor’s college students need over other students.
The question was why can’t all of the student organizations have preference, and the answer is that if all the student groups asked for preference.

The system would be backed up and it would take away from the purpose of early preference.

One of the last things that the Senate addressed was a withdrawal from class.

A lot of students are concerned with how a “W” on the transcript looks. Dean assured students that it really did not matter to future employers.

They also addressed that it is not a good idea to just drop a class; that is why students have an advisor.

They want to make sure that there is not a misunderstanding in the class and they do not want students to simply walk away from a class.

One of the main issues that the meeting focused on was the plans for the SMC renovation, which was lead by Dr. Aminta Hawkins-Breaux, vice president of Student Affairs.

It is up to the Student Senate to determine what is going to happen with the extra space for student organizations.

They have to determine how the organizations are going to be separated and also how they are going to get allocation for this project.

The first thing that Breaux addressed was parking.

The SMC is going to accommodate more parking for the new Sports Education Facility. This is going to be an extension of the SMC that should be completed in the year 2010.

The other issue that Breaux addressed is where they are going to put all the student organizations during the renovation. “Every week things change,” Breaux said. “We’re still trying to figure out where everyone is going to go. Nothing is set in stone.”

The plan, so far, is to keep the number of meeting rooms in the SMC, but to expand them; however, most of the meeting rooms are going to be on the first floor.

“This is turning out to be better then when we started”, said Breaux, “It’s going to give students easier access to the meeting rooms.”

In addition to the meeting rooms, Breaux wants to see the renovated SMC as “more of a destination place” for students.

This whole project is about making the SMC a “hub of activity,” as Breaux put it; a place to eat, relax, and have meetings.

In the new project, it was also said that, for the commuter students, they are going to be putting lockers in the basement.

“This is so the students do not have to be living out of their trunks,” said Breaux.
The decision to renovate the SMC was voted last year by the students for more campus recreation.

There are over 3,000 students that are part of intramurals and the University also hosts over 120 camps during the summer.

Another renovation that Breaux said the University was looking into, was a new performing arts center, where they can hold concerts larger than the ones already held in Lyte Auditorium and Pucillo Gymnasium.

The smaller performances could be held in the renovated SMC, as well.
The new performing arts center is still being discussed and would most like focus on the academics.

The building of these new projects would present MU with new opportunities and bring more excitement to the university.

Lastly, the Senate talked about the MU Alert that was issued last weekend.

The issue was reported by a faculty member who, from the third floor of Stayer, believed that he saw an individual carrying a rifle.

After the report the students who are registered for the MU Alert received the text messages telling them to take caution when going outside, since the incident was still under investigation.

Students can register to receive the text messages by going to their MyVille accounts and filling out the necessary information.

The University was not put on lockdown for several reasons.

One of them, Breaux pointed out, was that they did not want to make any assumptions without getting the right information. She believed it would look like the University was “crying-wolf.”

The process of a lock-down would shut the entire University down and they did not want to take that chance before getting all the information that they could.

It turns out that even though the faculty member did see the rifle, it was a prop for an elementary education class; the professor of that class was notified and confirmed that the rifle was merely used for an in-class assignment.

[Web Ed. Note: For more information about the SMC renovation, and to see artist renderings, see smcrenovation.com]

No related posts.

It was well worth the wait for the new fitness center as students campus-wide have been enjoying its new features. Manager of the Fitness Center, Sarah Burcin said, “We are crowded and have a lot of people that use the facility…[the student reactions] have all been positive.”

Robert Slabinski, CEO of Student Services Inc. and Student Lodging Inc., assured that student opinions were weighed heavily in Phase one. “This all started a number of years ago in response to student requests for addition facilities.” The changes in Phase one were also based on a study completed to find out what more students wanted.

“Phase one we could do quickly and that was our first course of action, to meet that need right away, and its been very well received,” said Slabinski.

Students enjoy the new cardiovascular fitness room, a result of Phase one of the SMC renovations being complete. Photo by Christian Shuts.

Phase two is centered on the ideas of expanding the fitness area and giving the entire building a face lift, with possibilities of a sports education facility as well as a completely new gymnasium.

However, it is important to remember that these plans are all a work in progress and have not yet been approved by President McNairy or her cabinet members. However, building a new gym at the SMC would possibly involve closing South George Street to James Street down.

Slabinski said, “The students that we have spoken to with regards to this have been very, very enthusiastic about the location.”

Slabinski also said, “We are in the planning process, hopeful to get everything in place and keep the project moving.” Slabinski also said that WTW Architects have been hired to design Phase two once it is given the go-ahead by the President and her cabinet members.

Regardless of Phase two, students throughout campus are reaping the benefits of Phase one’s completion.

Senior Keith Hildebrand, who works at the front desk of the fitness center reiterates the student’s feedback, “They like the new equipment and the features with the TV and the headphones.”

Students are enjoying the new commodities, but Senior Alex Davies said, “Its just a convenience, its not necessary that your work out is better.”

Junior Ashleigh Johnston said, “They added new items so its nice you don’t have to wait.” The Fitness Center has also added a pie graph highlighting the times when the Health Center is busiest, so students can plan accordingly.

Senior Justin Gilchrist, who also works at the front desk of the Fitness Center said, “It happens every fall, there is a huge influx and then people drop off as the semester goes.”

The total cost of Phase one exceeded $500,000 in construction and equipment. Slabinski highlighted the “synergies” that came together in Phase one, and is optimistic that when Phase two is approved it will enhance student life and the fitness level of everyone on campus.

No related posts.

No related posts.