Building Renovations in the College

A number of buildings are being renovated that will affect the College faculty and students.  We are encouraged by these and other updates in our facilities, which provide nicer and more useful spaces for our courses.

The David H. Nutt Auditorium, which serves as a performance venue for the Department of Music and a large classroom for a number of College departments, is completing its renovation.  Renovation included an expanded and redesigned stage, new seats, lighting, technology control room, extended lobby, and new audience restrooms.  While the interior of the auditorium is finished and classes are currently using that space, the completion of the work on the lobby is scheduled for this March.

Farley Hall is being renovated for the Department of Journalism.  This renovation includes the addition of the Overby Center, named for UM alumnus Charles L. Overby, Freedom Forum chairman and CEO.  In time for the fall 2007 semester, the department will move back into Farley Hall with its state-of-the-art technology in classrooms and offices, and facilities to host speakers and events. 

Located on the Circle, Bryant Hall has completed its renovation and the Department of Classics and the Department of Philosophy and Religion will move in during spring break.  The building has new, wired classrooms and a beautiful space on the main floor for students and faculty to gather.  

Utilized as a studio theatre space for the Department of Theatre Arts as well as a large classroom, Meek Auditorium is undergoing renovation, including a backstage quick-change dressing room, sound and light control rooms, 2 overhead catwalks, new orchestra pit cover, extended lobby, new restrooms, and new seats with writing desks/arms.  The renovation should be completed by fall 2007.

Adjoining Meek Auditorium, Meek Hall is home to the Department of Art.  This building will have refurbished plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems as well as new office and studio spaces, and new computer design laboratories.  After construction is complete this summer, all of the department faculty will be housed in the same building.  Previously, some art history and art studio faculty were located in Old Chemistry, which will begin renovation this summer for use by the School of Engineering.

Finally, Bishop Hall is currently undergoing a renovation of first floor classrooms, second floor lobby area, entrances, exterior, and roof.  The interior work will be completed over the summer of 2007 in time for the classrooms to return to service in the fall of 2007.  The remodeling and restoration of the entrances, exterior and roof will continue during the fall of 2007, with completion scheduled for the end of the fall semester.