Aug. 30, 2013 - Cal Times - California University of Pa.

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CAL TIMES california university of Pennsylvania

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW pg. 12 (back cover)

august 30, 2013

CALTIMES.ORG

Natali Student Center receives a facelift

IN THE

NEWS

vol. 35, No. 1

_______________________ by Gene Axton editor in chief

_______________________

Put some yarn on it

Pittsburgh received its very own version of a knitted sweater when the Andy Warhol bridge was “yarn bombed.”

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THE ARTS Discover local artists The CalTimes features a weekly column dedicated to local music. Find out how to get your band featured!

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SPORTS Reckless challenge

The Barclays Premier League has made its way across the pond and we’re just as excited as this guy. Brush up on your footy inside.

California University of Pennsylvania students found more than a new schedule waiting for them at the start of the fall 2013 semester. Natali Student Center, which houses Cal U’s bookstore and the majority of campus dining options, is undergoing a renovation that will last through the 2014-15 academic year. In 2011, Cal U students approved a referendum that gave the university permission to use student center fees to renovate the building. After the funding was secured, planning began. “The plans for the building were put together after a survey of students,” said Christine Kindl, director of communications and public relations at Cal U. “Then the university looked at the plans [and] did manage to downsize it a bit so that the budget was a little bit more controllable.” The primary reason for the remodel is the building’s age. The Natali Student Center was opened in 1970 and hasn’t seen a remodel since, although the building did receive an expansion in the early 90s. “The renovation has to do with upgrading the infrastructure,” said Kindl. “That’s the plumbing, the electrical, those sorts of systems [that] just keep the building running. It’s like upkeep on your home – eventually you might have to redo some plumbing.” Kindl also noted the trouble that the building has handling today’s bigger class sizes. “It’s mostly a functional upgrade. It will look nicer, it will give everybody a little bit more room, but the idea is really to make the building work better. They’re making some changes to expand the kitchen facilities and also to improve the traffic flow. You’ve seen the lines at lunch time and dinner time that

photos by: Casey Flores Cal U students found a gravel walkway where sidewalk used to be and fences around the formerly green areas that surrounded the Natali Student Center.

spill out of the gold rush and out the stairs.” The kitchens will be expanded during the second phase of construction, which is currently scheduled to start next academic year. During this time, the Gold Rush Dining Room will be temporarily relocated to Gallagher Hall. The campus food truck has been placed in front of Noss Hall to give students an additional option. According to Kindl, Natali’s renovation will also make it easier for students to access

services available to them on campus. “When the project is done there will be a few key offices that are planned to move into Natali – things like career services. So that it becomes more of a hub for students.” Kindl knows that parking and pedestrian traffic have been altered by the project, but she is confident that the renovations to the Natali Student Center are worth the inconveniences. “I think students are going to find that it’s a much easier

space to use, I think they’re going to have space for collaboration [and] getting together in small groups, whether that’s for homework or socializing. I think it’s going to be a place they can be proud of and I think it’s going to be a place they can feel comfortable.” Students can find more information about the Natali Student Center ’s current renovation, including a live webcam and a list of relocated offices, at Cal U’s website under the current students section.

The Natali Student Center’s second floor, which houses the food court and Gold Rush Dining Room, is being remodeled to resemble the artist’s rendering below.

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OPINION What did you do this summer? Cal U students share their best summer vacation stories.

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F ac e bo o k – Ca l T im es N ew s pa per

Twitter – @Cal T i mes


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