The Holmes Student Center is headed for a little cosmetic surgery.

Beginning this May, the ballroom, adjoining Capitol Room and part of the roof will be nipped and tucked into an updated and more fashionable version of NIU’s signature building.

The student center has not been remodeled since the ’60s, according to Mitch Kielb, acting director of the HSC. He said the ballroom’s sound system is obsolete, its decor is outdated and its stage curtain is in tatters.

Jeff Daurer, space administrator for NIU’s finance and facilities department, said the lighting also needs to be updated, and the stage needs to be made accessible for students with disabilities.

“Students with disabilities can’t now use the stage without special assistance, but something will be done for them,” he said. “The plans are not set yet, but a ramp or a lift may be the solution.”

The renovations have been in the works for at least five years, but had to go through a planning committee that was also dealing with the Convocation Center and Barsema projects.

“Three commencements a year [at the student center] prevented us from starting the renovations, but now commencements are at the Convocation Center,” Kielb said.

Preparation for the renovation process took place over winter break. One-fourth of an inch of paint was removed from the ceiling over the ballroom because the paint contained asbestos. Removing the paint was necessary to allow for coming roof repairs, according to Kielb.

The next step in the process will take place in February when the renovation plans will be shown to the ballroom’s main users, including CAB, the SA and the student center Board.

Loebl, Schlossman & Hackl, an architecture, planning and interiors company, will be handling the $600,000 renovations.

Kielb said the money comes from student fees that go to the student center and are set aside specifically for these types of projects.

According to Kielb and Daurer, the renovations will greatly benefit students.

New student orientations, job fairs and other activities important to students take place in the ballroom, and many student organizations rely heavily on the room for special meetings. After the renovations, the outdated accommodations of the room will no longer be a hassle.

The university as a whole will also be better off for appearing more attractive to prospective students.

The renovations might cause a slight inconvenience to some student center users because the ballroom will be closed from May through the early fall, but students are willing to deal with the potential problems.

“Any improvements are a positive thing,” said senior English major Joe Jagla. “I’m willing to put up with the inconvenience to help out the people who use the room a lot.”