Renovations to Melrose and Walker hall are nearly complete as the start of the academic year is in full swing.

The renovation project, which started in June, is nearing completion with an estimated four weeks left according to Facilities Services director Allison Horn.

Walker is the more noticeable of the two renovated halls with the first floor completely retiled and open for students and staff to use.

The International Programs Office as well as the political science department has both moved into their new spaces in Walker.

Horn mentioned that the Linfield community would notice the newly painted white walls, which covers the original pink color that was fading.

The general contractor, Walsh Construction Co., has kept the project on schedule since it started back in June.

The crew is working only nights and weekends in Walker hall due to student and Faculty use of the building.

The bulk of the construction to Walker has been completed. The only tasks left to complete are installing ceiling panels and permanent lighting, as well as installing the custom made glass display cases for the anthropology museum.

Horn explained, “The display cases will feature artifacts from the anthropology department which will include a double-sided glass wall visible from the first floor hallway and the lobby of the International Programs Office.

There will also be smaller movable display cases in the entry to Walker Hall displaying more artifacts.

The International Programs Office has amassed a larger space that is more comfortable for students and Faculty to use. The new office is light and open with natural light coming through large glass walls from the anthropology museum.

The political science department has a new seminar conference room that can be used for students and Faculty on the first floor of Walker.

Melrose hall, which of the two halls has the most work to be completed, also had the most upgrades and renovations done to it.

Vice president of Finance and Administration Mary Ann Rodriguez noted in an email that, “The project cost slightly over two million and was funded from a bond offering which was specific to capital improvements for the campus.”

No student tuition money was used for the completion of any of the renovations this summer.

The basement of Melrose has changed significantly but will keep its historic look once renovations are complete.

The east wing of the basement will now house the Office of Financial Aid, Registrar and Student Accounts.  The offices are now all centrally located next to each other so student will have a one-stop place to go. The new space has larger office spaces for Financial Aid advisers to talk to students and parents on a more private basis. The lobby of the three-office suite includes areas for students to sit and work.

On the West end next to the entry stairs is the Office of Academic Advising and Linfield Career Hub. Students will have lots of space to sit and chat with advisers as well as Skype with potential employers in the video lounge conference room.

Students that need a place to take a test will now have private rooms in the Learning Support Services Office as well as a group test taking room.

The entirety of the basement has brand new heating, lighting, carpet and fans to make it energy efficient. Students and Faculty will notice how light and modern it feels with the vast majority of the light coming naturally through many of the glass windows above doors along the hall.

The West entrance is now up to code in ADA handicap accessibility. The ramp was completely redone as well as a new set of stairs that run parallel to the ramp.

Jonasson Hall has stayed mainly the same through the entirety of the construction process. It has a new pantry that can also be used as a food preparation room with a new storage closet adjacent to the pantry.

Horn mentioned that it may be a while before an other major renovations happen on campus as none have been discussed as of yet.

Horn reflected on the construction process by saying, “It has gone well, Walsh has kept us on track through the entirety of the project and we were only limited by the space of the buildings during the renovation process as to other things we would have liked to have done.”

Students and Faculty can look forward to seeing the rest of the renovation wrap up in just four short weeks.