Indiana University Bloomington

Campus Link Newsletter

Spring 2012

Alumni Hall to Be Renovated

Alumni Hall plays a pivotal role in the life of this campus, and it’s time to bring some much-needed improvements to this treasured space. The renovations, which are being funded by the University, will address both appearance and functionality. In the words of President McRobbie, who was instrumental in initiating the project, the goal is to return Alumni Hall to its “original grandeur.”

The renovation begins in late summer of 2012. Here are some of the most notable changes that are coming:

• State of the art technology—Alumni Hall will have LED lighting, a new sound system and Wi-Fi connectivity. Electrical, sound system and data outlets embedded in the floor will negate the current need to tape wires to the floor.

• A custom-built organ has been acquired and will be installed in the balcony. We have begun discussions with the Jacobs School of Music so that organ majors can arrange time for practices and performances. This one-of-a-kind instrument will add to the uniqueness of Alumni Hall and provide the IMU with one more way to enrich the campus and the community.

• No more curtains hiding the windows—The curtains on the large, high windows are coming down. This is possible because energy efficient windows have already been installed. The beautiful limestone work around the windows will be on full display at all times. Shades will be used to control the daylight coming in the windows.

• New soundproofing—We will be working with sound engineering specialists to ensure that the sound quality in the renovated Alumni Hall is the best possible.

• New ability to hold separate events simultaneously in Alumni Hall and Solarium—Double doors with insulation and air pockets that block sound will be installed between Alumni Hall and the Solarium. This will make it feasible to hold separate events in both places simultaneously.

• Unisex handicapped-accessible restrooms—Two new restrooms will be added just outside of Starbucks by repurposing utility closet space. This will make handicapped-accessible restrooms more convenient for people attending events in Alumni Hall.

• New awning and ramp—The green metal awning at the South entrance will be replaced to reflect the original appearance, and a new handicapped-accessible ramp will be installed.

• Maintaining Our Commitment to the IMU as the Center for Campus Life—In the past I have said that I feel we have to change to stay the same. Alumni Hall will give us a newly renovated and upgraded space in the IMU. As we were working on the initial plans for Alumni Hall, I was asked by Neil Theobald, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer to whom the IMU reports, to draft a position paper on our vision for the future of the Indiana Memorial Union. The paper was a collaborative project involving members of the staff and 2011 Union Board president, Evan Farrell. The paper, accepted by Neil, which states that the IMU exists to unify the campus and to serve as the center for campus life for students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors. It states the purpose of various spaces in the building and establishes a blueprint for future use of the building. In short, it establishes the current use and function of the IMU as our purpose and function. As we move forward we will use our strategic planning process to determine ongoing use and changes to the purpose and function. As I noted in the last JWS newsletter, the strategic plan is currently being reviewed and will be rewritten for the next five years. This process includes participants from the staff and Union Board.