When students depart from campus at the end of the Fall 2009 trimester on December 13, 2009, their places will be taken by a team of construction workers who will work literally around the clock to implement in the three week break period several significant building improvements on our campus. Those improvements were recommended by the YSU ad hoc Facilities Committee in meetings that began in the Summer and continue to this date. Among the notable improvements will be the relocation of the Qi Studio space to a new location that will be crafted with the removal of the wall between the current Classroom One and Classroom Two. Décor features from the former Qi studio (mirrors and motif items) will be re-installed along with brand new cushioned carpeting in the new Qi studio. All of us were attached to the fine environment offered by the current Qi Studio.
However, the movement of the Qi Studio to a new location makes sense from many perspectives. In its former space directly above about a third of the clinic examination and treatment rooms led to unintended noise and disruption of clinic treatment processes especially when Qi classes involved vigorous movement. The new Qi Studio space will be sparkling with updated décor and cushy new carpets. It will continue to be a space dedicated to personal growth and the cultivation of exercises for wellness.
Another very significant campus improvement project will be the transformation of the former Qi studio to become a greatly expanded YSU library. Consistent with contemporary higher education function and terminology, the new library will also be renamed the YSU Learning Resources Center. Besides all the features that the former library had, the new YSU Learning Resources Center will boast several additional computer stations, a dozen new study carrels, a quiet conversation area and greatly expanded stacks. The new Library space will provide an ideal study and reflection space for YSU students and will provide the support necessary for the continuing development of our academic programs.
Yet another aspect of the late December 2009 construction work will be an entirely new classroom space that will be developed on the third floor in the space now occupied by the Traditions of Tao warehouse. The new classroom will be bright and large. It will have an enviable and inspiring view across the Venice residential treetops to the Santa Monica Mountains and the Santa Monica coastline.
A final aspect of the December building renovations will be the generation of four much needed offices in the space now occupied by the YSU Library. Among those offices will be at least one space that can be designated a common office space to be used for faculty student and other interactions that require privacy.