MCMA renovations near completion

The College of Mass Communications and Media Arts is going under the knife as renovations are taking place throughout the building, with a price tag starting at $200,000.

Gary Kolb, head of the project and associate dean of the college, said he is happy it can provide students with a better learning environment and updated equipment.

On the list for updates are two classrooms, two laboratories, the sound stage and WSIU's Studio B. The estimated costs of the projects do not include the equipment.

The Pattiz Audio Lab was renovated, thanks to a $100,000 grant from Norm Pattiz several years ago. Pattiz, an SIUC alumnus, is the chairman of Westwood One, the nation's largest radio network organization.

The lab, which was named in his honor, received new lights, carpet, and sound-absorbing wall treatment, along with $11,000 of new equipment for recording in high definition.

Jay Needham, assistant professor of radio-television, said the students are really excited to start working in the lab.

"We're staying current with the industry standard and with what people are using," Needham said.

The lab is scheduled to open within two weeks.

A classroom in the building's basement is planning to look like an adjacent room, which was remodeled last year to provide an interactive conference table.

"Last year, I had nothing but complaints about room 9A all year long," Kolb said. "This year, since we renovated it I've had nothing but compliments. I feel like we did the right thing down there."

Though primarily MCMA students use the rooms, any student in the University is allowed to use the equipment.

The largest classroom in the building, room 1046, has been in serious need of a renovation for a while, Kolb said. Plans for the room include fixing the lights and furniture.

Cinema and photography students are also scheduled to receive a new sound stage and sound-mixing area. Renovations will include upgrades in equipment and digital recording.

Kolb said it would allow for radio-television students as well as music students to use the lab more.

WSIU's Studio B will receive some sort of upgrade, but whether that means buying equipment or building something, Kolb said is still in the planning stage.

The School of Journalism's computer lab is scheduled to receive new Apple computers in May.

The college may also receive funding for a large, integrated newsroom that was proposed more than six years ago. The Illinois Board of Higher Education added the $5.4 million renovation to its list of budget priorities during its meeting on Tuesday. Kolb said the building has been on the board's list before, but was never included in the budget passed by the state Legislature.

"I'm not optimistic about that," said Kolb. "Whether or not anything will get funded is questionable. I'd be surprised if it came to pass, but I'd be happy."

The addition would house a master control for WSIU Television, and newsrooms to house River Region Evening Edition and the Daily Egyptian.

Walter Jaehnig, director of the School of Journalism, said there will be a meeting next week to discuss and update the proposal for the addition.

"It is a request," said Jaehnig. "All of the departments are cramped for space. Clearly an expansion is needed."