Brimhall to stay open

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    By Ashley Dickson

    The George H. Brimhall Building will remain open for the time being, and construction plans have changed to reduce health risks.

    Construction will continue on the building, said Michael Stratton, director of campus construction projects.

    “We stopped one portion of the construction, which was drilling for seismic upgrade work,” Stratton said.

    These changes will reduce the noise and the dust. Students and faculty members said last week”s dust caused respiratory problems and other health issues.

    Steven Jones, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications, said the situation is already a lot better because of the construction changes.

    “The fact that the drilling has stopped for now is really helping us buy some time while we figure out our next steps,” Jones said.

    Plans for the building were discussed in a meeting Friday, Oct. 10. More meetings will be held this week to discuss the future location of the Visual Arts Department and the altered construction schedule.

    Jones is working with administrators to outline concerns and look at alternative class locations.

    “We”re considering moving classes and labs, but our space on campus is perhaps the most scarce resource,” Jones said. “Even considering moving such a diverse group of people requires a team of people to consider everything from information technology and physical facilities issues to budget constraints.”

    Ed Adams, chair of the Communications Department, said Friday”s meeting was mainly held to discuss the relocation of the Visual Arts Department. He said construction would continue as planned once the building is emptied out.

    “The university is trying to get together to figure out how it can work for the best of everyone”s needs,” Adams said.

    Jones said it would be several days before the departments gets the answers they need.

    “The decision was made to renovate while the building was occupied, but this building is giving us problems we didn”t anticipate,” he said.

    “There”s a very good relationship between us and those who are looking at other alternatives,” Jones said. “We”re in a conversation with those kinds of people across campus to consider if it would even be possible and if there are spaces that would help us provide a better learning environment for the students.”

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