More than $3,500,000 is being requested from NIU’s fiscal year 1990 Capital Budget to begin University Health Services renovations which include the removal of asbestos.

According to the September Board of Regents Chancellor’s Report, “A 1985 Building Condition Audit of the Health Center revealed a leaky roof, a high concentration of asbestos in the fireproofing and miscellaneous other minor renovation needs.”

The report stated, “Water from a leaky roof has the potential to loosen asbestos in areas of the building where it would be very hard, and costly, to remove. In addition, the water damage to the asbestos fireproofing can accelerate the decay of the fireproofing, therefore, increasing the health risk from the asbestos.”

NIU Physical Plant Director John Harrod said, the health center roof “needs to be replaced because the roof membrane is no longer intact.”

The physical plant has been sending out a crew to inspect and control the asbestos that is in the health center fireproofing, Harrod said. The roof currently has leaks which the physical plant covered with temporary patches, but leaks that occur after heavy rains are difficult to control, he said.

The asbestos is not dangerous at this point because it is only dangerous when it becomes “airborn” and people breath it in, Harrod said.

Eddie Williams, NIU vice president for finance and planning, said the health center is under “constant review” to make sure the ceiling “does not deteriorate” and expose the asbestos to the air.

Williams said the proposal has been approved by the Regents and has to be approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the state legislature and Gov. James Thompson.

If the renovations are approved, funds will be available to begin construction in July 1989, Williams said.

“We would try to schedule the project so that there would be minimal disruption to the campus,” he said.

Relocation of the health center facilities might be necessary so it would be preferable to handle the renovations during the summer, Williams said.

He said the most important part of the renovations will be the roof repair and asbestos removal but other minor renovations also are incorporated in the proposal.

“Something better needs to be done with the basement,” Williams said. The basement does not have ceiling tiles to cover the floor exposed from the rooms above, he said.

The proposed renovations will include the installation of ceiling tiles, better lighting and walls to divide the space to make more rooms, Williams said.

“There may be a need to expand some rooms on the upper floors,” he said. Part of the building was used as an infirmary which NIU does not need any more, Williams said.

“Minor remodeling” would help the health center employees use the space more efficiently, he said.

Williams said the health center employees will be involved in the renovation planning if the proposal is approved.