Despite the circumstances, projects and general maintenance of the campus have been able to move forward in many ways. As restrictions ease up a bit, we are looking forward to easing our way into additional University improvements. All contractors and personnel are following the University’s guidelines for working on campus.
Cheel – Sidewalks are being poured to usher visitors to the new front and back additions of Cheel Campus Center. These major additions are providing expanded space for the new student weight room which includes cardio equipment, weight benches, TVs and sound system. Also renovated and expanded are spaces in the basement for Clarkson’s D1 men’s and women’s hockey programs. Inside the Arena, visitors will find the new slab under the ice (provided by new chillers), new glass and new dasher boards. Throughout the building, newly installed mechanical systems will deliver more efficient utilities while new metering systems will measure water, gas and electricity use. Included in the project are infrastructure upgrades to the building’s sewer, electrical, mechanical, security and data systems. A new generator is being installed, one that could allow the building to be used as a shelter if called for in the future. Valuable and useful parts from the old generator will be recovered for future use before it is removed from campus. The Cheel upgrade is slated to wrap up this summer, with the climbing wall coming in the spring.
Digester – The plan to move the digester from its location behind Cheel is currently under design with Stefan Grimberg and is expected to provide his Environmental Engineering team a better work space and upgraded mechanicals.
Price Hall – The renovation to the four residential wings of Price Hall was able to begin on time after successfully moving remaining students and all student possessions out of the suites. The renovation will turn living spaces into doubles, each with its own private bathroom, while all lounges will be turned into kitchenettes equipped with mealtime seating and lounge furniture. An additional accessible residential space will be created along with a new Area Coordinator apartment.
Woodstock Lodge – The first floor facelift which included new flooring, ceiling and lighting, and a new office space has been completed. We are near completion of the window replacement and roller shade installation portion of the project and are looking to replace the roof and front porch in the near future.
Safety Inspections – Regardless of the circumstances, the University is still obligated to maintain all state-required safety compliances by continuing all regular inspections. Therefore EH&S has been performing the inspection of fire doors, emergency lighting, and the 1200 fire extinguishers on campus. Also, monthly inspections are required of exit signs, eye wash stations and emergency showers.
Project Cleaning – “Project Cleaning” is our attempt to take advantage of fewer people on campus in order to accomplish a more thorough cleaning. Usually performed during summers and over breaks, this PAUSE has allowed us to cover many additional areas. Some projects are very noticeable: hallways, walls, common areas. Most won’t be noticed until the campus is re-opened.
Engineering – In addition to assisting EH&S with logging the locations of safety stations, the team is working towards further mapping all University buildings to include logging the rooms for which each air handler is responsible. This will allow our technicians to understand the impact of a downed air handler, and could assist in COVID management. Additionally, the team is using GIS to assist teams on the return-to-campus plans by determining how many people are allowed in specific areas as the University looks for creative ways to hold classes in the fall. This information will not only help us in the coming months, but will also be useful information for the future.
Maintenance – Now, as we are able to access spaces and bring more staff onto campus, Maintenance is busy knocking out work orders and addressing mechanical issues where work would negatively impact office staff located in these areas. Correcting issues with the booster pump in the basement of B H Snell Hall and repairing the elevator in Cheel are two of the bigger issues being addressed. Maintenance will also be assisting in preparing office spaces for the eventual return of staff by installing Plexiglas panels where needed and installing sanitizer dispensers.
Other projects in the works – The Norwood Boathouse will be renovated with a mezzanine and stairs to second floor. This will provide the Crew Team addition space for storage and workouts. Secondly, the water tower trailhead parking area has been cleaned up and new signage will be installed. Thirdly, continuing the project from last summer, exterior repair of brickwork on B H Snell hall will alleviate leaking around windows. And finally, “Ginny’s Garden” will be planted between the Student Center and the ERC. In memory of Ginny Clarkson the garden will feature an expanded and covered outdoor seating area and meandering paths among the flowers with small group gathering areas along the way.
Facilities Building – Before the PAUSE, work in the Honda building was about halfway done. Many members of the team were able to move in early: Grounds, Maintenance, Shipping & Receiving, and Duplicating/Mailings. Work after the PAUSE has resumed and by fall, pandemic willing, the rest of the team, including office staff, Custodial and Projects, should be able to move in.
In addition to all these projects and duties, the team has been assisting other departments on campus with the new and pressing tasks related to the pandemic. It was generally all-hands-on-deck as the team assisted Res Life with the overall task of packing and sending student belongings off. Shipping & Receiving has been unusually busy this year sending belongings home, reuniting students with the personal items they haven’t seen since Spring Break. Along with assisting with the move-out process, Custodial staff had the unexpected task of emptying all the residential refrigerators after it was determined that students would not be returning to campus.
It continues to be a busy season and we all look forward to some normalcy as we prepare the campus for whatever comes along.
If you have any questions please email facilities@clarkson.edu.