When students arrived at Mount Saint Mary College in August, they were greeted by a multitude of upgrades and renovations made over the summer.
While staff and faculty were preparing for the students’ return and implementing new health protocols for everyone’s safety, the college’s Facilities team was busy overseeing the renovation of several campus spaces. These renovations included updates to classrooms, improvements to the college’s schools of Nursing and Business wings, and the installation of plexiglass and signage to encourage social distancing throughout campus.
On the third floor of Aquinas Hall, the college’s main academic building, all classrooms were renovated to include new flooring, lighting, HVAC systems, doors, ceiling tiles, and a new coat of paint. Two restrooms on the floor were updated with new tile, fixtures, and lighting and a new handicap-accessible bathroom was constructed. Finally, two additional classrooms were built on the floor.
Exciting additions to the School of Nursing included two doctor simulation offices, allowing students to practice their skills in a controlled setting, as well as enhanced classroom technology and a new seating area. These changes will improve the Mount’s already prestigious Nursing program. Graduates from the college’s acclaimed School of Nursing have gone on to work in hospitals and clinics locally and throughout the country, serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The college’s School of Business suite was upgraded to feature a new seminar and conference room, as well as an analytics lab, which will allow Mount Business students to participate in hands-on learning. Three new office spaces and improvements to the reception area also allowed for an addition to be made to the student space adjacent to the suite.
The Mount’s facilities team was also hard at work throughout the summer making annual improvements to the college’s infrastructure and landscape, including paving, boiler upgrades, residence hall painting and maintenance, and more.
Earlier in the summer, in anticipation of faculty and staff arriving back to campus, the college also installed plexiglass shields in high-traffic areas and signage reminding the Mount community of new health guidelines, such as the necessity of wearing a mask on campus. They also rearranged furniture to help students, faculty, and staff to maintain proper social distance.