Eastern Michigan University’s former student center will once again be a bustling area full of students. After being under construction since the end of June, McKenny Union will be open for use on the first day of classes on Sept.8. Design work on the project began in the early part of June.
The renovation costs of the building are estimated at $1 million.
Sean Braden, EMU’s manager of planning and design for the physical plant, said several changes were made to the interior of the building to prepare for the influx of students and faculty members that will be utilizing the space.
“Six classrooms were added at the lower level in what was previously the student organization offices, or the old bowling alley,” Braden said.
“Also in this area is a small student lounge, two conference rooms and a faculty work space.”
On the main level, a larger student lounge and study area was renovated in what was previously the dining room. The student lounges will have all new furniture, but the university decided to use furniture from elsewhere around campus inside of the classrooms.
“EMU is conscious of sustainability and recycling efforts and therefore is utilizing writing surfaces, furniture, projectors, screens, and minor equipment salvaged from Pray-Harrold,” Braden said.
He also said the classrooms will be equipped with technological equipment to make them a fully functional learning space.
“These new classrooms will have ceiling mounted projectors with plug-in points for faculty and students to utilize,” he said.
Braden is estimating seeing a large number of students in and out of the building daily.
“With the addition of six classrooms and the temporary use of twelve other rooms as classrooms, we have planned on approximately 500 students in class at the same time in the building,” he said.
According to Braden, the classrooms, lounge, and faculty work space are all permanent additions to the building are planned for long term use.
In addition to the classrooms, lounge, and study area, the upgrades also included incorporating a convenience shop that offers food. The shop will be called Eagle Café at McKenny.
The building will also be home to Human Resources, Veteran Affairs, the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability, and the Academic Advising and Career Development offices.
However, no faculty or departmental offices will be housed in McKenny. Since the construction of Pray-Harrold began, many students have questioned where exactly to find their professors. The majority of staff and faculty office moves were completed following the end of winter 2010 semester.
Several departments on campus, with the leadership of the Institute for Geospatial Research and Education department, along with some EMU students developed an online system featuring an interactive campus map that will assist users in locating buildings, classrooms, faculty members, and a variety of other things.
This information can be found at livemap.emich.edu/landingpage.
For updates on the construction process of Pray- Harrold, go to emich.edu/cas/renovation.
