Two New Talley town hall meetings were scheduled for Wednesday — two students showed up to the first at 3 p.m., and the second at 6 p.m. was cancelled because no students came.
Models and samples of building materials were set up on tables in the lobby of the Talley Student Center for students to peruse. Student ambassadors were available to assist anyone with questions for the event, which ran for twelve hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Although the 6 p.m. town hall was cancelled, pertinent New Talley representatives were on hand to answer any questions.
T.J. Willis, assistant director and Student Affairs Talley construction liaison, had a presentation laid out for town hall attendees meant to last about 45 minutes. Once construction on the main Talley building begins, Harrelson Hall will become the epicenter of student-catered life, according to Willis.
“The presentation was the next step of what’s going on in Talley. I talked a bit about what’s going on in Harrelson Hall, and the units that are moving there in December. We talked about the satellite student center concept,” Willis said.
Campus activities, CSLEPS, parents and families services and meeting and study rooms will all be moved to Harrelson in order to make room for construction, Willis said.
Student Government moved from the Talley Student Center into Harrelson over the summer. Student Body President Chandler Thompson said she was excited about having CSLEPS, the Center for Student Leadership, Ethics and Public Service, moving in so closely to Student Government.
“There will be a benefit in bringing all of the student affairs and student organization units into one building,” Thompson said.
Harrelson already contains a study space, according to Thompson.
“There is already a new study spot, recently renovated, on the fourth floor of Harrelson. There are some couches and some tables. We are working on getting some white boards. It’s where I hold my cabinet meetings,” Thompson said.
Doors to Harrelson stay open until 10 p.m. for the conveience of students, according to Thompson. She has seen students studying in the area during the day.
All aspects of the New Talley project are on schedule and on budget, Bill Davis, University and project manager, said.
“Everything is on schedule right now. Actually, we are looking to push some things forward. Everything right now is looking good,” Davis said.
The University is allowing Rogers Construction Co. to complete more work through change orders since some aspects of the project are ahead of schedule.
“Rogers is a little bit ahead of schedule, so we are looking for some things for them to do. They have gotten themselves far enough ahead of schedule that they are looking for some extra things to do. We are able to let them do that to keep the project moving forward,” Davis said.
Valerie Long, a sophomore in elementary education, works at the front desk of Talley. She said, to her knowledge, Wednesday’s event was the first of its kind.
Long said students must get interested in the project in order to be heard.
“I see a lot of builders and architects come in and do their work. As far as whether or not students have a say in the project, I would say students have to take the initiative. They have to get involved,” Long said.
Long said she has not had any say in the project, but that she is excited to see what will come next.
