By Bob Romantic
GCU News Bureau
Prescott Hall is about to get some new residents.
Departments housed in the Student Union building will begin relocating to Prescott Hall this weekend when Health Services packs up and moves into its new digs.
Health Services will be closed Friday and Monday during the move and is scheduled to open its new doors on the north side of Prescott Hall on Tuesday.
The Student Life department, Career Services and Associated Students of GCU are expected to move the following weekend (April 28 and 29).
The moves will pave the way for renovation of the Student Union, which will be revamped to reorganize the food service area and expand seating from 312 to 602 this fall, when 1,700 additional students are expected on campus.
“The moves will be good for us and also allow the Union to be what it needs to be for next year,” said John-Paul Reiger, student development director for Student Life. “That’s a huge piece.”
Health Services’ new office space will include a lobby area; three exam rooms; a fourth exam room that serves as an urgent-care facility with street access for emergency vehicles; five offices for staff; and a lab and medication room.
Connie Colbert, the Health Services director and nurse practitioner, said the facility “basically operates like a physician’s office” for students and staff, and also offers services such as flu shots, prescriptions, well-woman exams and some vaccines. It also can test for such things as strep throat, mononucleosis and pregnancy.
The new health offices will include some new equipment and more automated services, Colbert said. “I think it’s just going to be a more modern and up-to-date office. … And it’s set up where we can grow.”
Reiger said Student Life's office space will have a lounge area, conference room, 12 offices for staff, plus a separate office space with outside access for ASGCU.
Career Services will benefit from the move with a new lab area with computers that students can use.
“We’re excited that we’ll now be even closer to students, living underneath some of them, if you will,” Reiger said. “The office has fun colors, a new modern feel. It feels like we’re growing in the right way.”
Contact Bob Romantic at 639.7611 or [email protected].
