June 2, 2005
05-156
Charles Harmon Director of University Relations, Sue Lampert, Assistant to the V.P. for Business & Finance (229) 333-5710
VSU says 'Pardon Our Progress' as summer work begins on 'Buildingfor Our Next Century' theme
Additional �Points of Progress� signs will be highly visible soon
as Valdosta State University gears up for some dramatic changes,
among which include improving pedestrian safety through the heart
of the main campus and the creation of the new Blazer Pedestrian
Mall. These changes are in keeping with the University�s Master
Planning goals and emerged through the strategic planning process.
They will improve the usability of campus spaces, while enhancing
the safety and living/learning environment for students, faculty,
staff, and visitors, in celebration of VSU�s Centennial years.
Other projects include redesign of parking lot placement,
renovation of the University Center meeting spaces, installation of
a new state-of-art security camera system, and the City of Valdosta
will begin its SPLOST funded multi-use trail along VSU�s segment of
One Mile Branch connecting the campus to city parks. The �Points of
Progress� signs first appeared at VSU construction sites last year
when the university began a major overhaul of its underground steam
system. � �Building for Our Next Century� is our new theme as we
head toward VSU�s Centennial Years---2006-2013---and it�s certainly
very appropriate this year,� said Interim Vice President for
Business and Finance Jim Black. He said the Georgia General
Assembly approved legislation in 1906 creating what is now known as
VSU, but the campus did not start classes until 1913. In honor of
these Centennial Years, VSU is planning major activities to
recognize the development of the university in the last century and
move toward the next century. VSU officials now are already
beginning to thank students, faculty, staff and visitors in advance
for their continued patience with anticipated additional
disruptions caused by major construction improvements during the
next several months. �We do want our visitors and the VSU Community
to really pardon our progress during this up tempo construction
period.� said Black. �We are going to do our very best to spread
the word about these new efforts and to update information as
conditions warrant. Our goal is to make these dramatic changes as
smooth as possible.� To these ends, VSU will provide updates on its
web page and listservs to keep the campus informed about
construction changes. New �Points of Progress� signage will also be
in place at construction sites. �We are trying to do the bulk of
this improvement work during the summer when many of our students
and faculty are away,� said Black. �However, this is still going to
be an active time on campus with the arrival of more than 600
Governor�s Honors students for the summer, our regular summer
academic terms, plus special camps and orientation sessions. We
hope our visitors will understand that we are going to do our best
to make things as convenient as possible. We thank everyone for
being patient.� Projects under development this summer and fall
include: an expansion of the Admissions parking lot, which will
open soon; the redesign of the Nevins parking lot to begin in early
July with completion anticipated during fall semester; the
pedestrian mall on Blazer Boulevard to begin construction as early
as July with major infrastructure completed in December;
construction of the multi-use-trail with VSU�s segment completed by
October; the installation of new security cameras throughout campus
to begin in July and be completed in November; major renovations of
the north end of the University Center to begin in early July with
anticipated completion by November; and continuing renovation of
Lowndes and Patterson residence halls. More information can be
found at http://www.valdosta.edu/finadmin/nextcentury.shtml July 28
Special Note: Main VSU Campus to be closed to most automobile
traffic for Pedestrian Mall-Nevins Parking projects
http://www.valdosta.edu/news/FullStory.php?story=campus_close_072805
229-333-5800 
