Hands-on classes adapt to virtual learning page 3 Rochester Community and Technical College
Volume 91 - Issue 3 - December 2020
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Construction project comes to a close By Faith Boyum Managing Editor
Two years ago, RCTC broke the ground for the Memorial Hall project, which included construction in several of the buildings on the main campus. “The project is complete at this point,” said facilities project manager Shayn Jensson. The construction project included renovations in Memorial Hall, Plaza Hall, Endicott Hall and parts of the Coffman Center. A big piece of the project was to construct and install a new chiller on the east side of the campus, which was finished in April. The chiller functions as an air conditioning system for many parts of the main campus, especially the College Center and Coffman Center. Another difference students and faculty may notice is the new courtyard on the southwest side of the campus, which is now open. “It’s a great amenity for the campus,” said Jenssen. The Memorial Hall construction project, which cost about $8 million, is complete, but there are a handful of punch list items. Punch list items are small jobs or finishing touches that the contractors will do for the campus. Related to the Memorial Hall construction project is another project called
Photo by Kristin Mork
RCTC’s new Plaza Courtyard is among some of the many changes students and faculty can enjoy on campus following the Memorial Hall construction project.
Percent for Art. Usually, when the state gives money in the form of a bonding bill and of a certain threshold, a portion of the money is designated for art. In the case of the Memorial Hall project,
some of the money from the bonding bill was reserved for Percent for Art. Right now, a committee of representatives is working through the process of developing the request, going through proposals and selecting the artist, who
will provide artwork for the campus. Jensson thinks this process will take four to six months and that the RCTC will likely get a piece of exterior artwork.
RCTC welcomes national figure on campus By Connor Vlasity General Reporter Dr. Deborah Birx visited RCTC on October 25 to talk about rising coronavirus cases in Minnesota and the surrounding areas of Rochester. RCTC provided the space for Birx to talk to state and local health officials. Birx hosted two meetings, one private event, one invitation-only event, and the press event. From KIMT News 3 and according to Birx, cases are currently rising at a higher rate than they were in the spring and summer. Birx also said that coronavirus has spread due to the amount of asymptomatic cases. About 20% of cases in Olmsted County are showing no symptoms at all. “We have power. We can change our future, but it does take all of us,” Birx said. “Even those of us who feel fine. Even those
of us who don’t believe that the illness would be significant to us. We all have to play that part, and that part really includes us wearing masks.” Birx also asks every Minnesotan to take extra precautions, especially around people who are not a part of your household. “The future does look devastating right now, but we can stop that community spread if we work together,” said Birx.
Photo courtesy of RCTC College Relations and Marketing Department
RCTC faculty and students welcomed Dr. Deborah Birx on campus in October, where she met with local and regional stakeholders to discuss COVID-19.