Itfter years of planning and months of hammering, the School of Journalism and Communication celebrated an exciting new addition to Allen Hall. Just after spring break, the entrance plaza, the east wing atrium and the first phase of the Edwin L. Artz Administrative Offices opened to students, faculty and visitors.

These latest additions comprise the fourth phase of an ongoing renovation that will eventually include additional classroom, office and conference space.

“While the continued improvements in the building, including expanded electronic and research resources for students and faculty, help us meet the challenges of educating young communcation professionals in the age of rapidly developing technology,” said School of Journalism and Communication Dean Tim Gleason. “It is also exciting to have the building itself reflect the quality of the instruction that takes place here.”

During the past few years, the expansion project has revitalized the ground floor of Allen Hall—a space formerly occupied by UO Printing Services. In 1998, The Carolyn S. Chambers Electronic Media Center opened to provide students a 6,000-square-foot media center. Soon to follow were the the Marcia Leonard Aaron Student Lounge and the John L. Hulteng Student Services Center. The Aaron Student Lounge offers students an to area relax in between classes as well as a place to meet for informal group work. The Hulteng Student Services Center houses the administrative center of the SOJC with the offices of the graduate and undergraduate secretaries, the chief undergraduate advisor, the director of operations and other administrative staff.

The Duniway Journalism Resource Center, which opened in the spring of 1999, is an extraordinary research facility for students and faculty, with a bank of high-speed computers, laptop hookups at reading tables and an extensive periodical library. The George Turnbull Reading Room is now housed in the Duniway Resource Center as well.

The next phase of construction in Allen Hall will being next summer. The anticipated changes include: the final portion of the Edwin L. Artz administrative offices, which includes the renovation of the former dean’s office and main office, which will serve as a faculty support office as well as offices for the associate dean and the assistant dean for external relations; The Willis Winter Presentation Room, which will serve as a classroom for those courses with a presentation component; and improvements to the second floor hallway.

The final phase of the ground floor construction will be the Hall of Achievement conference room funded by The Register-Guard.