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