Inlow Hall renovations set to begin

Students and visitors can expect to see dramatic changes when they walk through the front door of Eastern Oregon University’s Inlow Hall in the coming months.

A $6.42 million capital investment project is moving full speed ahead, and the university is preparing for major renovations.

A tight construction schedule has been set to complete the project by the beginning of the 2010-2011 academic year. An immediate change will be the temporary relocation of all offices currently housed on the first floor of Inlow. Office moves began Aug. 20 with relocations projected to conclude Sept. 9.

“The funding for phase one update to Inlow addresses seismic, health and safety and HVAC issues,” said Virginia Key, EOU vice president for Finance and Administration. “We’re taking advantage of this renovation to redevelop space that best fits our students’ needs.”

Changes will include the location of essential student services such as Admissions,

Financial Aid, Enrollment Services, Student Accounts and the Registrar’s Office. The design phase of the project is being completed with Portland-based firm SERA Architects, Inc.

“Creating a central location where we can provide students with the best assistance on a daily basis is an important outcome of this renovation,” said Bob Davies, EOU president. “We want our students to have a positive experience from the moment they step through the door to the time they graduate.”