Construction here. Constuction there. Construction everywhere. The Social Sciences Building, one of the oldest buildings on campus, is getting a face lift and is planned to open this fall.

“I think it’s cool that they are renovating the Social Sciences Building,” Jon Bartolazzi, biochemistry major, said. “This means that future generations like my siblings will be able to take advantage of things we didn’t have.”

Faculty was moved out at the end of fall semester in December of 2009 and the building was gutted around April 2010 to commence construction.

Classrooms were relocated in spring of 2010 to the Manhattan Beach Boulevard Modules and the Art Building, while most of the faculty offices were moved to the Cherry Tree Offices adjacent to the Communications Building.

“It’s been kind of a hassle because the divisional office is located on the third floor of the Art Building and a lot of the faculty offices and classes have been moved out,” Gloria Miranda, dean of  behavioral and social sciences, said. “It’s been a little tough getting used to, but we still managed to keep things going.”

“The building is one of the oldest and was remodeled for efficiency and modernization” Tom Brown, assistant director of facilities planning and services, said. “The project budget currently is $7,362,527.  This is a state project, so the project is 50 percent funded from the bond and 50 percent from the state.”

While rain hit the campus constantly in the fall semester of 2010, construction has been on schedule, with no hindrances. Construction plans to end in June and classes are already scheduled for the fall 2011 semester.

“I’m a freshman, so all of this new building that’s being done on campus is pretty neat,” Ben Inada, applied math major, said.

Like the Math, Business, and Health Sciences Building, the Social Sciences Building will be a more “green” building, with more efficient air conditioning and electrical systems. Classrooms will also be improved with “smart classroom” technology.The restrooms will be ADA compliant as well as all access for those that are disabled, Brown said.

“Change often requires that a person be inconvenienced for a short time,” Kell Stone, adjunct sociology major, said. “The whole move process in general is a great way to organize, de-clutter and get renewed for future semesters. It will also be great to have the division much more united, where faculty and division staff can work more collaboratively.”

Future projects on campus include a current MSC Building renovation; a relocation of the Shops Building to what is currently the North Field, and Murdock stadium as well, which is in the design phase.