Renovations to Ronan Hall are set to start this fall.

Associate Vice President of Facilities Management Steve Lawrence said there are a few more things wrapping up before construction begins on the $3.6 million project.

“We’re working on finishing the designs for the second and third floor of Ronan,” Lawrence said.

Once the Ronan Hall renovations are complete in April or May 2010, several departments housed in the Bovee University Center will move into Ronan because of the renovations to the UC, beginning sometime after April.

The departments will see potential office designs in the next couple weeks.

Some of the departments making the move include Residence Life, Academic Advising, Career Services, Campus Dining and the Dean of Students office.

Associate Director of Residence Life Joan Schmidt said the department is looking forward to the move.

“Speaking for the department, we are getting more and more excited,” Schmidt said.

The upcoming move is stressful for the various department members, as many feel like the UC is home.

Assistant Dean and Director of Academic Advising and Assistance Michelle Howard is one of those people.

“The UC is a recognized home to student services,” Howard said. “The challenge will be helping students know that Ronan Hall will be the second home.”

While the process of moving is stressful and time-consuming, the overall experience is positive among employees. The moving departments have had a lot of interaction with the moving and planning process.

“All employees appreciate being involved in space planning. We have been consulted on several things,” Howard said. “We will have to make our operations warm and inviting.

“It’s a transition. Transitions always take time and I think we can make it work.”

E-mail the author: Seth Nietering