It is Director of Facility Planning Kenneth Howe’s hope to start moving occupants into the War Memorial Student Union after they finish moving in furniture within the next few weeks.
The Lion’s Roar / Megan Simon

For many years, traveling between classes pertaining to healthcare related courses was made difficult for both students and teachers due to facilities’ locations. However, Director of Facility Planning Kenneth Howe and his team are striving to make facilities for students more accessible and easier to find.

Howe provided details on what is in store for students by the end of September when Phase 3 of the War Memorial Student Union is scheduled for completion. 

“We’re actually finishing Phase 3 up in the next week or two,” said Howe. “They’re starting to move furniture in, which will be completed in the next couple of weeks. Shortly after that, we hope to start moving those occupants in.”

According to Howe, they more than doubled the size of the union along with the three phases. The beneficial part of phase 3 is it will be a one stop shop for students. There will be more opportunities for Student Excellence, the Health Center, the Counseling Center and all Student Affairs along with Residential Dining and meeting rooms. Everything will be in the same location and more accessible for students to gain experience and advice. 

The student activity has increased in the Union and will continue to increase with Phase 3. 

While Phase 1 included all dining areas and operations, it was Phase 2 that gave the campus new Student Affairs offices, conference meeting rooms and a bookstore. With so much progress, it could only leave one to wonder what Phase 3 would bring.

“Phase 3 is almost all offices having to do with Student Excellence, the Health Center and the Counseling Center,” said Howe. “It will be great for students; they will have new areas to go to. I believe that would increase activity because some of these things were on the edges of campus and in some of the older buildings, but now they will be front and center.”

According to Howe, it has been six to seven years since they started the phases. From having the idea and working through the programming phrase along with design, development and construction documents to the actual construction, which has taken about two and a half years. 

One goal Howe is proud to have accomplished in the construction process is how Phase 3 is now taking the  students’ every day basic needs and re-locating them to one spot, as opposed to being spread out across campus in various locations.

“It’s been a long process,” said Howe. “But we’re really excited to see it come to fruition.”