To University faculty and staff,
Summer officially kicks off this week, as the heat and humidity remind us. Summer is a dichotomous time at SRU, providing time for rest, rejuvenation, and recreation, while simultaneously filling our lives with activity and intense focus. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on our past efforts while we prepare for the short- and long-term future of our University.
This past academic year, we created an environment where our students thrived, and our community partnerships flourished. We experienced many “firsts,” and the positive energy was palpable. The impact of your efforts, individually and collectively, serves as inspiration. Thanks to you, it was an outstanding academic year.
Summer allows us to focus on vital projects and initiatives that will lay the groundwork to extend our positive trajectory. Thanks to our commitment to strategic planning, curriculum development, infrastructure improvements, and innovative program design, the coming months are packed with possibilities to help us address the challenges of higher education and enhance the University’s academic mission and reputation.
I am excited to share the facility updates below as we build for the future. A complete list is available online at Campus Bulletin: Upcoming Facility Improvements – SRU News.
- Campus Pond: The pond on the lower campus between Stadium Drive and Kiester Road is being dredged so it can be restored as a natural wildlife habitat. A new fountain and LED lights will enhance its aesthetic and functionality. A second drainage culvert will be installed under Kiester Road, resulting in a temporary road closure through Aug. 8.
- Smith Student Center: The refresh of the Starbucks in the Smith Student Center has begun and is expected to be completed this summer. This project was a part of the contractual agreement with Aramark and Starbucks.
- Mihalik-Thompson Stadium Complex: The new sound system for the Mihalik-Thompson Stadium Complex is being installed and is expected to be completed this summer.
- Dining Halls: The condensate line supporting Boozel Dining Hall is being installed and will be completed before students return in August. Weisenfluh will receive an HVAC upgrade, which began in mid-May and is expected to be completed by the first week of September.
- Academic Buildings: Phase 2 of the water purification upgrade in the Advanced Technology and Science Hall was initiated in April and is expected to be completed in June. Projects in the Art Building include an ADA entry renovation, which is scheduled to begin in late August and be completed by October. Roof repair will also be completed within a similar timeframe. Bailey Library will begin roof repairs in August, and the Math Lab is currently undergoing renovation with a completion date before the start of the 2025-26 academic year. The ventilation systems will be replaced in both McKay and Swope, and we will also be installing a sink in one of the preschool classrooms at McKay. In Vincent Science Center, we are completing Phase 2 of the Growth Chambers Lab. This project is scheduled to begin in July and is expected to be completed by the first week of September.
- Intramural Field: The intramural soccer and football fields are being converted from grass to artificial turf, allowing for greater use by multiple sports and groups, as well as rentals to community leagues and organizations. The project is scheduled for completion in August. This project is primarily funded by SGA.
- Old Stone House Museum: The roof is scheduled to be replaced by July 11, after which paperwork will be signed to officially transfer management of the building from SRU to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. DCNR’s property management will help ensure the Old Stone House’s future preservation as a local attraction and space for programming.
- Residence Halls and Suites: Heat pumps are currently being replaced in Buildings A and D, with additional replacements planned for Building F. These replacements are part of the heat pump’s life cycle, as the units are well past their documented end of life. This is a significant investment and should address some of the issues with the HVAC systems that occurred during the 2024-25 academic year. Renovations to Rhodes Hall are also underway, converting the space that previously held the Student Health Center back into a residence hall. This conversion will add 40 more beds to our housing array, which is very necessary given our current enrollment. North Hall is one of our oldest buildings and requires extensive masonry and façade restoration. We are repairing the columns and façade, as well as tuckpointing the brickwork.
Our facilities team is engaged in a beehive of activity on campus, and along with our exceptional faculty and staff, we are all working together to provide a distinctive student experience. In all cases, I appreciate the commitment and the extensive effort.
I also want to encourage you to take care of yourselves – have some fun, get outside, do the things that bring you joy. You deserve it, and we need everyone at their best if we are to continue on this exciting path.
Together, we will achieve great things as we further strengthen our foundation and prepare for another year of excellence.
Sincerely,
Karen Riley, Ph.D.
President
