Updates begin on Donahoo

Over the years, the Georgia College campus has seen many changes and evolutions. One of the newer items on the agenda is the remodeling of the first floor of the Maxwell Student Union building.

The area that will be renovated is located under The Max, neighboring Chick-fil-A and the campus mailboxes. It is home to many of the campus offices and common areas, some of which including the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, the Bobcat Card office, The Colonnade office and the Donahoo Lounge.

The Donahoo Lounge is a large group meeting room, which serves as a meeting area for many student organizations. The space is currently equipped with many tables and chairs to accommodate student seating, and a large, wide-open area to work with, but little else.

Last year, it was determined that The GIVE Center would be moved from its current location in Ennis Hall to MSU. The Student Activity Budget Committee allocated $59,000 for the costs of construction and remodeling in the transition. Because there will already be a large amount of construction going on in the building during this time, SABC and Auxiliary Services partnered up in financing the renovations of Donahoo Lounge.

“Donahoo Lounge is a space that has seen a mix of uses. Large group meeting space continues to be a high need on our campus and we wanted to bring this space up to a better standard,” said Student Government Association president Evan Karanovich.

The “better standard” to which Karanovich hopes to develop the space includes the installation of two projector and computer systems, new lighting, flooring, furniture and re-painting the room. It is estimated to cost $13,000 for construction and renovations. The Student Technology Advisory Fee Committee has allocated $13,000 for technology to be included in the project as well.

Billy Grace, graduate assistant for Campus Life and former SGA Chief of Staff, commented on the remodeling: “We are replacing the tile floor with carpet squares to make the lounge feel warmer. It is such a cold, open space now, and we believe that will make it much more people-friendly.”

Grace also mentioned they hope to achieve a more “professional look” in the space.

Jamie Cowan, senior mass communication major and member of the Delta Zeta sorority attends chapter meetings in the Donahoo Lounge every Monday. “We (Delta Zeta) feel lucky enough to even have a space available for our chapter meetings,” Cowan said. “Because sometimes we have a hard time finding available spaces. But the carpet would probably be good. . ..less of an echo in the room.”

Senior accounting major and SGA Senator John Fajuke agrees that this renovation is a positive one.

“I definitely think it is a good idea for the school to make this space more presentable and up-to-date for those organizations that use it every week,” Fajuke said. “I believe this is one of the cases where the college sees a vast need for something, and they step in to provide.”

It is hopeful for construction to begin in the coming weeks, and in an effort to minimize the impact on students, faculty, staff and visitors, most of the work will be done primarily on weekends and during after-hours.

SGA is optimistic renovations will be complete by Winter Break or the beginning of Spring Semester.

Posted by KateRamsey on Sep 29 2011. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.