In the coming months you might start to see a swell of boxes, trash bins, and surplus furniture lingering in the halls of Talley. You may also catch a glint of exasperated sweat on the brow of a Student Affairs staff member who has just run over from Harrelson to Talley in the sweltering summer humidity to make it to a meeting, check their mail, or to stop by one of the few offices that have decided to stick it out in Talley proper during Phase I construction.
Move Schedule:
Student Affairs will complete the move to temporary space in three waves. The first group of units will move in June 2011 and the second in December 2011. Those units/ offices located on the south side of Talley will likely stay until the completion of Phase I of the project, contingent, of course, on the breadth of construction impact on the building (e.g. noise, power outages, asbestos abatement, and safety.)
For a complete list of moving dates and locations click here.
Housekeeping:
We’ve got a lot of “housekeeping” to take care of before the first group of Student Affairs units move in June. Our offices are affected in so many ways, but navigating the general logistics of this undertaking is one of the greatest. To start, offices will have to purge files in a manner compliant with University regulations, and get rid of excess furniture to fit into their temporary digs in Harrelson. Also storage in Harrelson is minimal to say the least, so props and supplies that might have taken up residence in the Talley basement will likely be eradicated rather than relocated. All of which is just the tip of the iceberg, still to come will be:
• Packing
• Determining the number of keys for each unit
• Relocating network ports and phone lines
• Reprinting brochures, handbills etc.
• Updating websites
• Determining a location for delivery and transport of event supplies to a part of campus with limited access
• Communicating our new location to campus
Reaching the campus:
It’s important that we communicate the new location effectively. Not only do we want students and the campus community to know where to locate our great programs, but also offices that offer counseling to students, such as the Women’s Center, want to make sure that survivors seeking Interpersonal Violence (IPV) Services know where to find them. In addition, offices such as the GLBT Center want to make sure news of their relocation will reach students who may not be out because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Benefits of a new home:
Admittedly, moving to Harrelson will be a huge adjustment for Student Affairs staff. Many units will be separated across campus, when once they were only separated by a hall way. However, Harrelson’s physical address on the main square of the University has the potential to provide an outstanding opportunity for our units to reach students and members of the campus community that we’ve never reached before. It is our hope that each unit will take advantage of the partnerships that form with their new neighbors within Harrelson. While this move may be an adjustment, we are determined to make the most of it and encourage you to stop by and say hello whenever you’re in the neighborhood.