Monday, August 25, 2008
The University is installing a vertical duct through all levels of Wescoe Hall to improve ventilation and airflow in the building.
The construction came on the heels of a yearlong study that was conducted by John Neuberger, professor of preventive medicine, and released in July 2007. Neuberger performed the study to determine the health conditions in the academic building after reports of staff in the building developing brain tumors. Upon completion, he said he found no links between the building and the tumors, but the study concluded that airflow in the building needed to be addressed.
Todd Cohen, director of university relations, said the University took the results of the study seriously and began work to correct the ventilation problems immediately. The construction visible around Wescoe Hall is improving the heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC system, which the study deemed inadequate.
Keith Wainwright (left) and Steve Foster, both of Central Mechanical Construction, worked Tuesday night on the roof of Wescoe Hall. The construction crews, who are installing a new air transfer system in Wescoe, work between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. to avoid causing disruptions to the many classes that meet in Wescoe.
The HVAC system will improve the air quality inside the building by increasing the airflow on each floor. It will make the conditions safer and healthier for people working or attending classes in Wescoe Hall. Cohen said the changes were meant to improve the overall working conditions for faculty and staff members.
The necessary construction within the building presented a problem for the University because it had to relocate hundreds of staff and faculty members. Many offices had to be closed to free space for the construction.
Don Steeples, vice provost for scholarly support, said 235 people were forced to move. He also said that those people generally ended up scattered around campus, whether they were put in Watson Library, the Military Science Annex or simply doubling or tripling up in other Wescoe Hall rooms. Despite the inconveniences of moving, Steeples said the process had gone smoothly.
“Given the magnitude of the disruption, there have been relatively few complaints,” Steeples said. “We greatly appreciate the cooperation and patience of those affected by this series of moves.”
Steeples said the move caused a decrease in productivity for both faculty and staff. He said that on a positive note, it had also forced people to get rid of nonessential items, helping to clear space in offices and eliminate clutter. Steeples said the moves would continue with the ongoing construction, causing some people to move as many as three times in two years.
According to Cohen, the construction is on schedule, which he said has helped avoid any major hassles.
The construction will continue through the school year and finish in June, with the majority of the work being performed after classes to avoid disruptions in learning. The construction company finished work on Aug. 15 on the renovated first floor, updating offices. Other changes regarding the two-year, $3 million project, such as the closed east entrance, were detailed in an e-mail sent to all KU students, faculty and staff last Monday.
— - Edited by Adam Mowder
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