Students returning to the University this fall might not recognize their old campus. With four construction projects underway this summer and another slated to begin this fall, the University is in for a major face-lift.
The largest and most expensive of this summer’s construction projects is the Living Learning Center. When completed in fall 2006, the 399-bed center will house a 185-seat lecture hall, as well as two smaller 25- to 40-seat classrooms. It will be the first new residence hall on campus since the 1960s.
University Housing Director Mike Eyster said the center would
address three important problems on campus: It will help resolve problems with existing residence halls, will address the current growth of enrollment and will provide a collaboration of academics and residence life.
Heart of Campus
In the center of campus, at the corner of University Street and East 13th Avenue, a major reconstruction has taken place. The “Heart of Campus” project includes a redesigned kiosk, seating wall, garden, traffic turnaround and an expansion of the EMU visitor parking lot.
Stamm said the goal of the project was to make the “Heart of Campus” a gathering area. This project is expected to be ready by the time fall term begins.
Many Nations Longhouse
A project 10 years in the making, the Many Nations Longhouse is set to open in October. When completed, the longhouse will serve many functions for the Native American peoples of the Northwest. It will be a place for celebrating weddings and graduations and also a meeting place for socializing and studying.
“It’s more than just a building,” Interim director of the longhouse George Beetles said. “The longhouse supports the community.”
Hayward Plaza
The University has also decided to make improvements to Hayward Plaza at the corner of East 15th
Avenue and Agate Street. The parking lot will be removed and replaced with a columned entranceway that will incorporate extensive landscaping and brick work. The design
will also include a space to showcase the many sports accomplishments that have taken place at
Hayward Field.
“It’s been a long-standing goal of the athletic department to make improvements there,” Associate Athletic Director Steve McBride said.
McBride said he hopes the construction on the plaza will be completed in March, in time for the 2005 track season.
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
Early next year the long awaited art museum renovations will finally be complete. The newly renamed
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is expected to open January 2005. The new museum will feature galleries devoted to American Regional art, Northwest art and Korean art, as well as a new space to store the University’s famous collection of Japanese and Chinese artwork. A cafe is also being added on the ground floor, in the hopes that it will draw in new patrons.
“It might be that thing that
attracts those that don’t normally come into the museum,” museum spokeswoman Katy Sproles said.
When the museum opens it will be displaying a traveling exhibition by Andy Warhol.

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