2008 Woodie Awards
Patterson Hall to serve as prof's interim office space
By Todd Daugherty
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 3/23/07 Section: News
SRU's Council of Trustees approval of plans to convert Patterson Hall into a faculty and staff office space for science departments is pending approval from state officials.
Patterson Hall, once slated for demolition, has been saved due to the need for office space when Vincent Science Hall undergoes a $16.6 million renovation in the spring 2008.
Patterson was originally scheduled for demolition as part of the $110-million residence hall replacement plan overseen by the Slippery Rock University Foundation, Inc.
Current plans for the 62,886-square-foot residence hall includes using the building as a temporary facility for science departments affected by Vincent's renovations, pending approval from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education board of governors.
Estimated costs for renovations of Patterson are projected at $4 million. Renovations will include a 5,163 square-foot addition. The project will be funded through a PASSHE capital finance plan, if approved by the board of governors at the April meeting in Harrisburg.
"All of the staff feels the renovations need to be done," said Mark Shotwell, associate professor of biology. "It will be an inconvenience for two years but will be better for the students. It will pay off in the end."
Effected departments include math, psychology and biology. Patterson Hall, which was constructed in 1958, will provide additional classroom and office space for a number of university science departments.
"It is far more cost effective to renovate Patterson Hall than to reconstruct a new building," said SRU President Robert Smith. "This plan is the most cost effective because it will take approximately $3 to $4 million to renovate Patterson Hall, while building a new one could cost three times that.
"I'm excited about the renovation to Vincent Science Hall because it will be less disruptive to the facility while construction is going on. Our hope is to move the exercise science program to Patterson Hall after the renovation of Vincent Science Hall is complete. This plan will bring the least disruption."
Patterson Hall, once slated for demolition, has been saved due to the need for office space when Vincent Science Hall undergoes a $16.6 million renovation in the spring 2008.
Patterson was originally scheduled for demolition as part of the $110-million residence hall replacement plan overseen by the Slippery Rock University Foundation, Inc.
Current plans for the 62,886-square-foot residence hall includes using the building as a temporary facility for science departments affected by Vincent's renovations, pending approval from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education board of governors.
Estimated costs for renovations of Patterson are projected at $4 million. Renovations will include a 5,163 square-foot addition. The project will be funded through a PASSHE capital finance plan, if approved by the board of governors at the April meeting in Harrisburg.
"All of the staff feels the renovations need to be done," said Mark Shotwell, associate professor of biology. "It will be an inconvenience for two years but will be better for the students. It will pay off in the end."
Effected departments include math, psychology and biology. Patterson Hall, which was constructed in 1958, will provide additional classroom and office space for a number of university science departments.
"It is far more cost effective to renovate Patterson Hall than to reconstruct a new building," said SRU President Robert Smith. "This plan is the most cost effective because it will take approximately $3 to $4 million to renovate Patterson Hall, while building a new one could cost three times that.
"I'm excited about the renovation to Vincent Science Hall because it will be less disruptive to the facility while construction is going on. Our hope is to move the exercise science program to Patterson Hall after the renovation of Vincent Science Hall is complete. This plan will bring the least disruption."
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Lisa
posted 3/23/07 @ 8:16 AM EST
I am very happy that Patterson is being saved. I have many fond memories of the building - dances, North Hall/Patterson picnics, etc.
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