Take a good look at campus before you leave for the summer next week, students. The winds of change are blowing here in the heart of the New River Valley and may cause you to not recognize RU when you return in the fall. Facilities management has many planned projects for the summer, some of which are already in progress. A new social plaza, a new building, and a new entranceway to campus are just a few of the campus modifications you can look forward to in the fall.

According to Public Relations web page, university officials have planned a new entranceway at two major intersections around campus. At the corner of Tyler and Jefferson streets, a new Radford University sign will be erected along with trellises for roses to climb. It will also feature a scenic overlook point to provide a great view of campus. Also, the corner of Tyler and Norwood Streets will be revamped to include a new Radford University sign and ivy garden. For artist's renderings of the new intersections, check out the PR release.

Unless you've been living under a rock (or not living in the Radford area) for the past 6 months, you may have noticed a small change on Adams Street. That change is the addition of a very large and very new building, rumored to be called Waldron hall. This building will house the nursing department along with leisure services and other parts of the health and human services department. The new 58,000 square-foot building will also contain many multimedia classrooms and other forms of computer technology, including plans for a wireless network. Whim has been able to secure floor plans for the new building and have provided them for your viewing pleasure below. Modem users beware: the full size images are rather large in size.

1st Floor

2nd Floor

Another already-in-progress project is the construction of the Tartan Plaza, located behind Heth Hall. Progress on the project appears to be slow at this point, but rumor has it that the plaza will be completed before graduation day. If you know anything about how RU works or have read last week's Vent article, then you will probably assume the same. Supposedly, the new Tartan Plaza will include a small stage area where performances will be held. There will also be an information board in the center.

Other projects slated for this summer include the beginning of the renovations to Peters Hall as reported a few weeks ago. In addition, the new track and soccer field should be completed by Spring 2001.

All in all, there are some very exciting changes coming for students and faculty at Radford University. Being a graduating senior, this gives me another reason to visit RU often to see how the campus continues to evolve.

Name: Eddie
Year: senior
Major: Leisure Services
Comments:
I was just woundering, since it's 4:00 and I am waiting for my plane at Dever International Ariport; if ya'll have done an article about the climbing wall in Peters Hall. If you did not know, are planing to reduce the size of the wall when they remodle the building. What a waste of our money, the wall has only been up for two years! Just thought you may be interested about your money be wasted Eddie

Comments:
who designed that entrance way? I think it is the ugliest thing I have ever seen.

Comments:
I like that the school is expanding and trying to look even better than it already does. Only thing I don't like about the new changes is that they moved the rock just for Heth plaza. I liked it in front of Heth better than in a parking lot. Put it back! I don't care if a virgin graduated, it shouldn't have moved.

Name: another 706 resident
Comments:
I too also have to see the big pile of crap outside the building. It is disgusting out there. I wish they'd do something about that.

Name: Angry in 706
Comments:
yeh, and maybe while they're at it, they'll fix the damned mess behind the Fairfax Apartments. I wake up every morning, open my window and stare at all of the mud, broken concrete peices and peices of trees and shrubs. This is not the beautiful RU that lured be to come here 4 years ago. Doesn't the University have a better place to dump this stuff?