April 16, 2012
Ground broken for Student Services Building
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale officials today (April 16) broke ground for the 125,000-square-foot Student Services Building, a state-of-the-art facility that will serve students, parents and alumni.
The building is going up south of Anthony Hall and Parkinson Hall, slightly northeast of the Student Center on the ground where the two-story parking garage stood.
“We want the total student experience to be positive, and this facility will be a one-stop shop for so many of the services our students need on a daily basis, staffed by our dedicated professional staff,” Chancellor Rita Cheng. “It also will improve the aesthetics of the campus and provide an impressive, inviting new entryway.”
The facility will house the University’s enrollment management functions, including Undergraduate Admissions, Bursar, Registrar’s Office, Career Services, Enrollment Management, Enrollment Technology Services, Graduate School, Financial Aid, Learning Support Services, New Student Programs, Transfer Student Services, University College, and University Housing. The building will also house the Saluki First Year Initiative -- which is designed to make sure students reach their full potential and are active participants during their first year at the University.
The three-story complex will feature a limestone façade and include a welcome center, with cross-trained staff to serve students.
The projected cost for design and construction is $36.6 million. River City Construction of Benton is the general contractor, White and Borgognoni Architects of Carbondale is the project architect. Construction is expected to be completed in June 2013.
Phil Gatton, director of Plant and Service Operations at SIU Carbondale, said the building creates a new entryway onto campus, and that the facility focuses on student needs.
“I think what we have come up with is a great solution that people will be happy with,” he said.