New academic facilities support strategic plan

The sights and sounds of on−going construction loomed in the background at the recent ribbon cutting for the state−of−the−art English addition.

Georgia (Sep 24, 2004) — The sights and sounds of on−going construction loomed in the background at the recent ribbon cutting for the state−of−the−art English addition.

But Facility Planning and Design Services Director John Anderson had eyes only for the newly completed structure. “The English addition‚ that was a pleasure‚” he said. “Design and construction took only 10 months. It’s the fastest project of its size I’ve been involved with at KSU.”

The 32‚000−square−foot English addition houses 15 classrooms‚ 43 faculty offices and the English department office suite. Plans also include space for a courtyard and future poetry garden.

Other projects receiving finishing touches over the summer included the new pedestrian bridge and the North Parking Deck‚ with its 1‚500 parking spaces.

In an effort to keep pace with the exploding student population‚ construction projects continue to dot campus. The Student Recreation and Wellness Center addition to the Physical Education Building should be finished by January 2005. Its 15‚000−square−foot fitness center overlooking the Campus Green will be the focal point of that building. Other amenities of the Rec Center: Intramurals and Wellness Center offices; a multi−purpose classroom; and an aerobics room.

University Village‚ the newest on−campus living−learning community‚ opened in mid−September with beds for more than 700 students. Place Properties‚ the firm that built and manages all of the campus housing‚ developed a contingency plan to deal with the delay in the opening of University Village. Some students moved into other on−campus housing or into area hotels‚ rent free‚ or were given a stipend to pay for their commute if they chose to delay their move to campus.

The Convocation Center‚ with its 4‚000−seat arena‚ plus classroom and office space‚ should be completed by the end of the calendar year. As that project wraps up‚ two others will begin. Construction on the Performance Hall‚ with its rehearsal room and nearly−700−seat auditorium‚ will be completed in 2006.

Also scheduled for occupancy in 2006 is the new Social Sciences Building. This building‚ at 161‚000 square feet on five floors‚ will be the largest building on campus. It will house the dean’s suite‚ eight department office suites and approximately 100 faculty offices‚ in addition to 47 new classrooms and a 300−seat auditorium.

All of this construction isn’t taking place willy−nilly. A campus master plan exists and is currently being updated. “The new master plan is geared toward supporting the KSU strategic plan and current mission and vision of the university‚” Anderson said. “The master plan will address future enrollment and related academic‚ student and athletic program issues.”

The nationally recognized planning firm Hammel‚ Green and Abrahamson‚ has been hired to lead the master planning effort. The plan should be complete in spring 2005.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its approximately 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the third-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 92 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status, and one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.