The Wirtz Hall auditorium, which normally is filled with hundreds of business students, remains empty this semester.

Those familiar with Wirtz Hall and the College of Business have noticed construction in Wirtz’s main classroom, the auditorium. The renovation began when NIU students left for winter break Dec. 18 and will reopen for fall classes.

Mark Misic, director of technology for the College of Business, said the renovated auditorium will give instructors complete control of the classroom’s functions, such as lighting and computers.

“The main goal for the Wirtz construction is to update the lighting, increase the seating capacity from about 275 seats to 324 and create a more comfortable atmosphere for students,” he said.

To increase classroom seating, tables will be replaced by standard lecture hall seating, like the seats used in Cole Hall.

College of Business Dean David Graf said funds for the $100,000 renovation came from numerous donors, including the National Bank and Trust Company of Sycamore, the CPA Review, the College of Business and the university.

The new auditorium will be called the Clifford Danielson Auditorium, after a former member of the National Bank and Trust of Sycamore, Graf said.

Construction has affected students and teachers who would use the facilities for classes, such as UBUS 310, MGMT 217 and UBUS 223. The classes have been scattered to locations all over campus, such as Jack Arends Hall and Cole Hall’s auditorium.

Charles Peterson, a business professor who teaches UBUS 310, said the construction was well-timed because spring class sizes traditionally are smaller.

“The construction will really benefit the whole university and greatly improve the facility’s sound, lighting and seats for students,” Peterson said.

The new construction will be the auditorium’s first major improvement since its original construction more than 30 years ago, Peterson added.

Construction planning and funding were prepared over a year ago. Misic said the project was in the works well before it was announced that the College of Business would receive a new home at Barsema Hall.

“We are very thrilled about the project, and we are leaving things behind in very nice shape,” Misic said.

Wirtz Hall’s future after the College of Business leaves in 2002 is undetermined, Graf said.