By Tom Landry & Kimberly Manahan (Whetstone staff)
Among the many upgrades, The Underground offers a relaxing place for students to spend their time.
Wesley spent more than three-quarters of a million dollars upgrading parts of the campus last summer.
Some upgrades were planned, others not, said Eric Nelson, vice president of finance.
“A week after graduation the original [air conditioning] equipment broke down†in Slaybaugh Hall, Nelson said, costing the school $100,000.
An air conditioning unit in the chapel also broke down, and cost $10,000 to repair.
“So Professor Fluman can remain cool,†Nelson said of the art professor whose office is on the second floor of the chapel.
Williams Hall received new furniture and a new paint job for $211,000.
“We hired 10 students from the football team to help move out and in the new and old furniture,” said Mary-Alice Ozechoski, dean of students.
Club Simpson expanded, was renamed The Den, and is open longer and has more food choices. That cost $45,000.
Students like the changes.
“I like the Den’s new hours and options on the menu,†senior Kyle Rhodes said.
The Wolverine Stop and Dulany Hall received $30,000 in new furniture.
“I like the layout of The Den and the Wolverine Stop,” sophomore Will Morris said. “There’s a lot more room in that area now.”
The Underground has new satellite radio, and can play different music in different zones, Ozechoski said.
“I think the new additions to the Underground are good,†senior Rashed Laster said. “But I’m a senior and won’t be able to use them too much.â€
But Wesley officials took away a few things.
“I wish they still had two ping-pong tables,” Morris said.
In the newly remodeled bookstore, books are easier to find and it is also stocked full of new Wesley merchandise.
The bookstore received a $135,000 gift from Barnes and Noble to remodel.
An additional counter was installed in the back of the store and students found it easier to navigate the new floor plan.
“I like the new bookstore, there is more room and less confusion,” sophomore CJ Oechsle said. “I was still able to pre-order my books with no hassle, but the prices were still a little steep.”
The $160,000 Organic Chemistry Lab upgrade was paid for by a grant at no cost to the college.
If the money sounds high for furniture, there’s a good reason for it, Ozechoski said.
“The furniture might have been expensive but it’s meant to take wear and tear,” she said.
And they’re not finished.
“We plan on upgrading the walkway from the College Center to the Parker library by adding wireless internet and more tables and chairs,†Ozechoski said.
