NEWS
Be sure to check out these other news stories:

GHC gets Facebook
SMP sponsors First Amendment Week
A turn for the worst: Cartersville campus entrance poses danger for students

 
 

Floyd campus receives needed repairs

By Joshua Owens
[email protected]
Staff Writer

Before the renovations could begin, professors had to clean out their offices during finals week. Over the winter break, a renovation crew worked long hours at Georgia Highlands� Floyd campus to complete restorations to the McCorkle Building�s F-Wing.

F-Wing has received few substantial repairs since it was built in the 1970s. Faculty members have complained about leaks in F-Wing.

Physical plant director Doug Webb says, �It was high time the F-wing was repaired.�

In fact, commencing work on the building has been on his mind for years; however, working on a tight budget prevents such projects from taking place until they are absolutely necessary, as they had become in the McCorkle Building.

Funding for renovations is provided by the State Board of Regents.

The Board currently allots which currently allots $350,000 per annum for Georgia Highlands based on a formula considering square footage and the number of students. The grant is called a �Major/Minor Repair and Renovation� (MR & R) bond issue. According to Webb, this fund must be budgeted �very wisely.�

Webb, who oversaw operations, supervised the more than 20 laborers who aided in the task.

With hardly a month to work with, the crew was rushed to carefully unwire and remove computers and furniture, remove ceiling tiles and carpet and disable the 100+ sprinkler heads before finally beginning the actual renovating.

Classrooms were supplied with new ceiling tiles as well as new carpet. Several workers were subcontracted to complete such tasks as demolition, painting, re-carpeting and replacing lights. The cost of the restoration project totaled approximately $110,000 or $4000 less than the budgeted amount.

�A good, clean learning environment for students is our top priority; students will do better,� states Webb, who hopes that this will positively affect how students work and think.

The F-Wing roof has not yet been repaired, but this is Webb�s next planned renovation.

Raising funds for the roof repair will take all of the 2006-2007 fiscal year allotment and delve into the following year�s fund as well.

Sophomore Michelle Odle, a general studies major, appreciated the work.

Odle said, �I�m glad they did the renovation. With the change of name, it�s also nice to update the school�s look.�