Hibbs Building scheduled to open in fall

More than a year ago, VCU started renovating the Hibbs Building, and if the construction continues on schedule, students and faculty can walk through its doors at the beginning of the fall semester.

Brian Ohlinger, associate vice provost for facilities management, said students and faculty can expect everything inside the building to be new because the 44-year-old building should offer modern-day appeal.

“We’re taking a 1960s-era building, gutting it and starting over,” Ohlinger said. “The only thing that will stay the same is the outside.”

The priority during the renovation involves new plumbing, heating and electrical systems, Ohlinger said, because students had been concerned about the inconsistent temperature inside the building.

Thandi Mkandawire, a junior fashion and merchandising major, said the renovation was a necessity.

“I’m glad they’re fixing the temperature stuff,” he said. “It was pretty broke down before. There were big problems with the air system.”

Students familiar with the first-floor dining hall are in for a surprise when they re-enter the building. The first-floor offices house the University College, which will combine several functions that are now spread out across the campus.

Jon Steingass, associate dean for the College of Humanities and Sciences, said the University College consists of four functions targeted to help students:

• Academic advising for first- and second-year students.
• Writing center to help students with their papers.
• Learning center to provide tutors for students.

Testing center to assist incoming students as well as provide an area for proctored make-up exams.

“We want to work with students throughout their college career,” Steingass said. “The University College will make a way to provide more outreach to community colleges.”

At the academic advising center, students can talk with advisers in a central place instead of traveling throughout campus to meet with various teachers. The floor plan for the University College, Steingass said, was designed by a team of VCU faculty.

“If you look at other colleges that have a university college, VCU will be one of the best because it was developed from scratch,” he said.

The third and fourth floors will contain classrooms where students will see vivid, modern colors on the walls, new furniture and technology plus a “black box” that replaces the overhead projectors previously used.

Kelly Coldiron, student-systems specialist for the College of Humanities and Sciences, said wireless Internet is installed throughout the building.

“It’ll be like a cyber caf