Hillyer Hall Expansion

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Overview

Photo Gallery
(click photo to enlarge)

For over forty years, the faculty and students of Hillyer College have been housed in space that quickly became crowded. Students interviewed often comment on the need for more space. There has not been a major renovation inside Hillyer Hall since it was built in 1962.

This has led the University and the Hillyer College Board of Visitors to authorize a fund raising campaign to build a space that will house faculty offices, establish a visible home for the College, and rehab faculty offices into state-of-the-art electronic classrooms.

The goal is to create professional spaces that can complement and enhance the teaching and learning spaces of Hillyer College.

Meeting student needs
All students at Hillyer College understand the helpful significance of the countless one-on-one sessions with their faculty and advisors. Students comment on the challenge of holding conversations in offices with temporary walls, or paper-thin walls that separate offices from classrooms.

The new addition

“This added space will provide long-awaited privacy for students and faculty consultations.”
Hillyer faculty member

The new addition will open out into a reception area for Hillyer College. This will be the new “face” of the College. Bright, open and inviting, it is intended to establish an atmosphere where all are welcome.

The major purpose of the new addition is to provide much needed faculty offices. These offices will be adjacent to new teaching spaces thus creating office spaces that will be an extension of the learning process.

“We need these new offices to support the learning environment. Appropriate office space helps insure an environment that enhances faculty and student relationships.”
Hillyer Department Chair

The two-story structure will assure future students quiet conversations with their advisors and a place where faculty can work one-on-one. The 7,000 square foot addition will include 23 offices.

Renovations to Hillyer Hall
This project will represent the first major renovation to Hillyer Hall since it was constructed. It will include three new “e-Classrooms”, a honors seminar room and a renovation to Hillyer Hall’s auditorium.

Returning the old offices back to classrooms presents the challenge of updating the facilities to keep pace with changes in technology and teaching.

“E-classrooms offer exciting learning possibilities that help students engage with material in novel ways.”
Hillyer College faculty member

Over the past several years, the College has enhanced its opportunities for honors students, but lacks a space where honors students and faculty can meet or hold a seminar. The addition will include an honors seminar room, directly off of the reception area to further enhance the honors program within the College.

“The College’s honors program builds a community of talented students. The renovations include a dedicated classroom for gatherings of honors students with faculty. As a result, the program’s identity will flourish and motivate students to do their best work.”
Hillyer College Honors Coordinator

The auditorium attached to Hillyer Hall will also be improved. The opportunity to create a space for large-scale gatherings of students is greatly needed and this project seeks to gain the funds to do so.