Those who have walked by the entrance to Walker Gymnasium in the past year have made note of the construction scaffolding that seemingly never goes away. Recent years have seen a number of renovations made to existing buildings as well as several new buildings popping up on campus. Stevens has been working diligently to improve the campus to support the growing community of students coming here to experience new opportunities and advance their careers. These improvements are being made all around the campus.
Palmer Hall began its second phase of renovations to the first floor back in late May. These renovations were completed on August 16. Upgrades have been made to the lounges, laundry stations, and restrooms to accommodate the influx of freshmen students. Bathrooms have also been modified to provide gender inclusivity. In addition to this, the second and third floors received a fresh coat of paint and new flooring in the corridors. Jim Luongo Construction performed this renovation and was supervised by the Department of Design & Construction of the Facilities and Campus Operations Division. Dominick Strumolo is the senior project manager and the one who can address any questions or concerns.
The tunnel connecting Schaefer Recreational Center to Walker Gymnasium is currently being modernized, and the Recruiting Lounge is being upgraded as well. Improvements are being made to the flooring, paint, lighting, and furniture. The goal of these renovations is to create a more welcoming and comforting place for our athletes and create a more aesthetically pleasing environment for all who use these facilities. These renovations are expected to be completed on or around September 30. Stevens has been soliciting the help of NJ Professional Painter, Stonhard Floors, and Star-Lo Electric to help with the renovations to the Walker-Shaefer tunnel. The SIT Design and Construction Team is overseeing this project with James Weingartner as project manager
These facilities are only a few of the ones undergoing renovations. Burchard had its front entrance redone this past summer to improve its accessibility for people with physical disabilities. The faulty lift has been replaced by a ramp, and other changes are being made to the front of the building. This change, likely a result of the demand from students who require accommodations, is a step in the right direction; Whether it is enough remains to be seen.
Those who were on campus this summer may have noticed the construction happening on the 5th Street entrance to Edwin A. Stevens Center. The staircase leading to the DeBaun Auditorium was stripped completely to make way for a new staircase that aims to be more accommodating to students with disabilities, faculty, and members of the public.
Students have expressed hope that practical functionality plays a bigger role in renovation decisions than campus aesthetics. Humphreys Hall has been in dire need of an upgrade for many years, with some of the biggest problems relating to the water system, ventilation, bathrooms, mold in the rooms, and an underwhelming lounge area. Others living in other residential halls on campus have voiced their problems with their living situations, and it seems as though Stevens is addressing these concerns while at the same time pursuing campus beautification projects like this year’s new Palmer Plaza.
Dorms are not the only buildings in need of major changes, as science labs in McClean Hall have lacked the necessary equipment for labs. The tools that need replacing in these labs are often shoddy or out of date, which compromises the integrity of the work being done and the products being produced. The Stute spoke to students who said that they believed Stevens was working slowly to address the major concerns of the students and staff, while at the same time funding projects that don’t necessarily appreciably improve the student experience.
