NATCHITOCHES – In advance of the Fall 2017 semester, several improvement projects are taking place at Northwestern State University, including road improvements, infrastructure upgrades and other projects to enhance the campus.
“These improvements have long been needed to make the campus more functional and will enhance safety and convenience for students, faculty and visitors,” said Marcus Jones, vice president for University Affairs.
Projects include a new overlay of the parking lot at NSU Elementary Lab and resurfacing portions of Sam Sibley Drive, which has been closed to thru traffic. Some projects commenced as soon as the new fiscal year began on July 1. Completion of other projects has been delayed due to weather conditions. Motorists must detour around Sam Sibley Drive and enter the campus at South Jefferson, Caspari Street, Second Street or Tarleton Drive. Motorists are asked to not drive around barriers and should not drive on dirt surfaces due to recent rains.
At NSU’s Shreveport campus, a ribbon-cutting will mark the opening of Café DeMon II, the new coffee shop opening to serve students and faculty in NSU’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health. The ribbon-cutting will take place at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16. Café DeMon II is located inside the Nursing Center library at the campus, 1800 Line Avenue.
The university also anticipates the reopening of Varnado Hall, which this semester will house students in the School of Creative and Performing Arts in a modern living/learning residence. Constructed in 1939, Varnado Hall is geographically close to the Creative and Performing Arts complex and in addition to 128 residential rooms will include practice rooms, a music studio and other amenities for CAPA students. The building’s historic ballroom will be transformed into a space where performances and other events will take place and faculty rectors will to oversee programming that promotes artistic engagement.
Also on the Natchitoches campus, some classrooms in Kyser Hall and a first floor laboratory in Fournet Hall have been remodeled and administrative offices at the Teacher Education Center updated. Construction on Turpin Stadium’s new video board will begin Aug. 15.
“We appreciate the patience of those visiting campus while these projects are underway. Pending weather cooperation, we are doing everything possible to complete the projects before students arrive for Move In Day on Aug. 19,” Jones said.
Fall classes will begin Monday, Aug. 21.