Upgrades Under Way

During the winter break, a variety of campus improvements were undertaken. These included renovating the pub in the Student Center, and redoing the Hennessy Hall portico and constructing a ramp by Hennessy Hall, all at the College at Florham, and revamping the plaza outside of Kron Building and relocating student counseling and psychological services to a separate building, all at the Metropolitan Campus.

At the College at Florham, repairs to the portico, located outside the door from Lenfell Hall, Hennessy Hall, are 95 percent complete. Structural work was done to overcome damage done over the years by weather. (The original granite material was reused.) In addition, a ramp, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant, was constructed off the portico. The sides of the ramp replicate the balustrades that appear around Hennessy Hall.

Left photo: Portico and ramp outside Hennessy Hall, College at Florham.

Right photo: The newly renovated Bottle Hill Pub, College at Florham.

The newly renovated Bottle Hill Pub room in the Student Center, College at Florham, features new mirrors and lighting, current and vintage FDU memorabilia, tables with Plexiglas tops revealing pictures underneath, a black ceiling, walls painted in the school colors and a new furniture arrangement. The Student Pub Redecoration Committee was responsible for developing the new look. A reception in honor of the redo was held by the Student Government Association and the Office of Student Life on February 5.

From left: Enjoying the reception at the Bottle Hill Pub are, from left, Mark Sapara, assistant dean for special projects and director, Freshman Intensive Studies; Mary Ford, assistant director/learning specialist, Freshman Intensive Studies; Marge and Harry Keyishian, English and director, FDU Press; and Sarah Azavedo, director, student life; Nicole Milazzo, lead student for pub-renovation project; and Eric Range, assistant director, residence life (all Flor).

At the Metropolitan Campus, student counseling and psychological services has moved from the Student Union Building to a former private residence on Lone Pine Lane (informally known as the Rabinowitz House), across the road from University Court. The new location allows for expanded services and office space and more privacy for its users.

Left photo: The plaza outside the Kron Building, Metropolitan Campus.

In addition, the plaza outside Kron Building has been torn up and redone with an ADA-compliant ramp, a new look and shrubbery. Once the weather improves, seeding and more plantings will be done.

From left: Student Counseling and Psychological Services staff include, from left, Alice Mills, co-director of counseling service; Heidi Ison, psychological counselor; Charles Imbimbo, psychological counselor; Kathleen Azzaro, psychological counselor/substance abuse educator; and Diane Purnell, medical assistant (all Metro). David Mednick, co-director of counseling service (Metro), is not pictured.

In addition, the University has received $100,000 under the County of Bergen Community Development Grant to assist in upgrades (for ADA compliance) to the restrooms in University Hall, Metropolitan Campus.