UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Three projects to benefit current and future Penn State students, faculty and staff were discussed today (Nov. 3) during the Board of Trustees Committee of Finance, Business and Capital Planning.
The three projects include the Penn State Health and Wellness Center, as well as renovations to the Nursing Sciences Building, which will provide convenient access to a health care facility on campus for faculty and staff; the E-Knowledge Commons in Reber to offer students access to individual and group study areas with state-of-the-art technology; and energy savings projects in four campus buildings reaffirming the University’s commitment to sustainability. The combined estimated cost of the three projects is $7.85 million.
Penn State Health and Wellness Center and renovations to Nursing Sciences main entrance
As previously announced, the University is constructing a faculty/staff health clinic on the first floor of the Nursing Sciences Building, which will be known as the Penn State Health and Wellness Center. Starting in January 2017, the clinic will provide University Park employees with care for minor health issues, ranging from coughs and colds to scrapes and bruises using the skills of nurse practitioners and Penn State Health physicians.
The project also encompasses a renovation to the main entrance of Nursing Sciences facing College Avenue, a second floor lounge area above the renovated entrance and improve the accessibility of the building. The projected cost for the clinic, lounge area and entrance renovations is $4.5 million.
Student Knowledge Commons at Reber Building
A 7,500-square-foot technology-rich, student-centered space will be constructed in the Reber Building to serve mechanical and nuclear engineering students, two growing programs in the College of Engineering. The E-Knowledge Commons will provide open collaborative spaces and multimedia facilities and will be similar to the Pattee Library Knowledge Commons. The space will be filled with movable furniture, which can be arranged to facilitate group interaction, department lectures and presentations.
In addition, the project also includes upgrades to the existing lobby of Reber and two existing computer labs, improvements to accessibility and a unisex bathroom. The spaces will boast expanses of interior glass to create a contemporary and inviting environment available to students 24/7. A raised flooring system to access and maintain power and data requirements is also part of the project.
The project cost estimate is $2 million.
Energy savings projects at University Park
In continuing its commitment to sustainable practices, several buildings at University Park will undergo energy savings projects, including Davey, Buckhout and Althouse labs, as well as the Computer Building. The majority of the work will take place in the Computer Building with the installation of cold aisle containment panels, replacement of control valves and controls modifications.
The estimated cost of the projects is $1.15 million.