Even though students aren’t living in Denious Hall, it’s bustling with activity.
The interior of the former residence hall is being gutted in order to renovate the building.
“We plan to make it a one-stop shop,” Director of Physical Plant Gary Walbridge said. “It will combine the business, financial, marketing and advancement offices.”
Walbridge said having these offices spread around campus makes it difficult for new students and even existing students when taking care of the business end of school.
“I can’t help but believe the students will like it,” Walbridge said.
While the changes being made now will not affect students until the project is completed, a few greek organizations have benefited from the renovation.
The original plan was to hire a company to remove the furniture.
However, Doug Barth, director of alumni and corporate relations, suggested the removal of the furniture by the greek organizations for free or at a reduced cost.
“Greek life is so important to us at Baker,” University President Pat Long said. “It really was just a win-win.”
Barth said much of the furniture in some of the greek houses looks 30 to 40 years old.
As president of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity alumni board, Barth encouraged the active members to look at the furniture that was up for grabs.
The fraternity acquired 24 dressers, five desks and chairs, a few couches and loveseats and four toilets for a donation of $100.
The old furniture from the fraternity was thrown away.
“It really is an incredible gesture,” Barth said. “It allows them to save money by giving right back to the students. What a great deal.”
Although work on the project has already begun, the current budget deficit has not been considered a problem. University employees have completed most of the demolition to the interior of the building and the only cost thus far has been about $1,800 for the trash bins.
Even though the university has the means to complete the project, Walbridge said it is important to make progress without pulling personnel away from their regular duties.
The original plan was to complete the project over the summer.
However, because to the budget deficit, once the interior demolition is complete the project will halt until funds are available to complete it.
