Students and faculty may recognize certain areas of campus that have received a face lift over the winter break. Recent campus renovations include the Holmes Student Center (HSC) and continued work in Zulauf Hall.

Information Technology Services (ITS) Manager Charles Schumann said the computer lab on the main floor of the HSC will become available to students again at some point during the first week of the semester, if not by Monday.

“All computers in the lab are now up and running,” Schumann said. “The room was not accessible over break because we replaced the carpeting in the lab and there are still some final touches to be made before it’s made available to the campus.”

The red light on top of the HSC that guides many students and faculty back to the NIU campus from Interstate 88 did not provide direction at the start of this semester. The red light, which acts as a landmark for the NIU campus, is also a marker for pilots to avoid flying too close to the tall building.

Mitch Kielb, director of the HSC, said that after many months of service the red light has lost its glow and will be replaced soon.

“The bulb, like all other lights, burns out from time to time,” Kielb said. “We’re working on having it replaced as soon as possible.”

Both elevators in Zulauf Hall are now up and running, carrying students and faculty up and down the 10 stories at a much faster rate than in the fall semester, when only one elevator was accessible. Renovations in Zulauf Hall began in late August including maintenance on the first and second floors.

Bill Frazier from building services said the construction on the first and second floors is nearly complete.

“We’ve replaced the wood trimming, the tiles, and the lighting on both floors,” Fraizer said. “The work on the building has come along quite nicely over the winter break.”