NIU hopes to spend millions of dollars to make sure that the structure of its buildings is sufficient for students and faculty.

The Stevens Building, Wirtz Hall, Gilbert Hall and the Holmes Student Center all were looked at for big-money projects at Wednesday’s Board of Trustees meeting.

Eddie Williams, executive vice president of finance and facilities, said that money for NIU’s future projects would come from the Bond Revenue Reserve.

For these projects to come to fruition, the Illinois General Assembly would need to approve state funding when it sets the final state budget in May 2003.

“NIU students deserve the best, and that’s what we plan to give them,” NIU President John Peters said.

Peters added that in order to provide better services and make the university comfortable, NIU will need more money from the state if enrollment continues to increase.

The Board of Trustees will vote Sept. 19 on all of the following estimates for fiscal year 2004 projects:

Stevens Building renovation

The Stevens Building renovation project, which would cost about $16.9 million, would include new ceilings, a new roof, a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, new energy-efficient lobby windows, handicapped accessibility, asbestos abatement and reconfiguration and upgrades for more academic space.

After renovation, the building would be good for 25 to 30 years, Williams said.

Computer Science and Technology Center

A concept for a building called the Computer Science and Technology Center – estimated to cost $26.3 million – would give students a learning environment aimed at giving them the knowledge and practice to compete in today’s society. The center would be able to accommodate the equipment necessary to develop a nationally competitive program with certification programs, custom learning labs and single classes for corporations and individuals.

Air improvement projects

The HVAC and window replacement project, estimated at around $15 million, includes several buildings on campus that are experiencing problems with air ventilation systems because of old equipment.

Reavis, Watson and Montgomery halls would be in line for renovation. Reavis and Watson halls are classroom/faculty office buildings with 35-year-old HVAC systems. The project would remove and replace the recessed wall units, dampers and temperature controls to make students and faculty feel a bit more comfortable in class. The Montgomery Hall project also would fix ventilation problems in laboratory, office and classroom areas.

Wirtz Hall renovation

The Wirtz Hall renovation and electrical distribution project is estimated to cost about $10.9 million. Underground cables that are more than 20 years old led to the renovation needs. Also, new equipment must be installed to prevent systems from failing.

Gilbert Hall renovation

The renovation of Gilbert Hall is estimated to cost about $16.3 million. The facility, which was built in 1950, does not have air conditioning. It also needs new electrical and heating systems.

Elevator rehabilitation

A campus-wide elevator rehabilitation project would cost about $3.1 million. The existing controllers are not equipped with the correct fire protection technology and do not comply with local and national codes. The project calls for renovation and material to install controllers, to replace generators and SCR drives and to install new hall and car stations for Zulauf, Faraday, Graham, Montgomery, Davis and Swen Parson Halls, as well as University Health Service.

Holmes Student Center renovation

The Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom already is getting a small facelift. Ceiling replacements and room design work has begun at a cost of $600,000. New curtains will be purchased and balcony seating will be upgraded. Tables and chairs also will be purchased to replace worn or broken pieces.

The board also agreed on a $483,000 remodeling of the student center itself. Williams said elevators will be made handicap-accessible. Currently, stairs are the only option for people to reach the Huskie Den.