Construction is underway in the Murray-Herrick Campus Center, and some students are making changes to their everyday routines.

Freshman Sarah Mergens is a current resident in Murray Hall, and she said the construction has been inconvenient.

“Not having the Blue Lagoon as a study area has been a big change, but the library is so close – I kind of feel like everyone else now,” Mergens said.

Sophomore Maya Peters said she agrees that the construction has been inconvenient.

“I like to cut through Murray to get to OEC, especially when it’s cold,” Peters said.

Jerry Anderley, associate vice president for facilities, said the project is estimated to be completed by June 2012.

“The demolition is almost complete,” Anderley said. “Then we can apply for a city permit. Once that’s approved, the actual reconstruction starts.”

Anderley said that in St. Paul, the permit process can take anywhere from two to six weeks.

“We’re really hoping it takes a minimum of two weeks so we can continue to stay on schedule,” he said.

Out with the old, in with the new

Joseph Kreitzer, associate vice president for academic affairs, said that most of the changes presented last semester are still in place.

“Phase one of the construction project is moving student services into first floor Murray-Herrick, with the addition of some new paint and fresh carpet,” Kreitzer said.

Student services include Academic Counseling, the Business Office, Card Office and Registrar’s Office. Phase two will include the construction of the Financial Aid and Admissions offices.

“The idea is for the first floor to become a student service center, so students can go to any of those locations without having to go to multiple buildings,” Anderley said.

Although the construction may be inconvenient, many students said they are in favor of the changes.

“I can see a lot of students liking that arrangement,” Mergens said. “It would be a lot easier having them all in one location. As a freshman, I still don’t even know where some of (the services) are located.”

Several classrooms will also be put in Murray-Herrick.

“The old cafeteria will have five classrooms with updated technology,” Anderley said. “There’s still a question about whether or not the Grill will be replaced with two classrooms; we’re looking into other possibilities.”

Anderley said the Murray-Herrick classrooms are scheduled to open in the fall.

“It’s definitely a top priority to get those done first,” he said.

While some students like the idea of classrooms in Murray-Herrick, others are indifferent about it.

“That will be very strange, especially if I have a class where the Grill or the Caf used to be,” Peters said. “It will definitely take some getting used to.”

However, Anderley said the Blue Lagoon will remain the same once the floor reopens.

“Since the Anderson Student Center opened, I’d still see 30 to 40 students on any given day in the blue lagoon,” Anderley said. “That space will reopen as it was and be available for students.”

With these changes, Kreitzer and Anderley said they are confident students will be wandering back in Murray-Herrick come next fall.

“It is a temporary inconvenience, but it will make for a much better opportunity for the university to serve students in one location,” Anderley said.

Terese Quarberg can be reached at quar3707@stthomas.edu.