Spring 2009 - Issue 5

The Silversword: Home > Chaminade Life > Extreme Makeover: Eiben Edition

Extreme Makeover: Eiben Edition

Brittany Rought, Editor

Eiben Hall is the home of communications, interior design and art departments. 

This past summer Eiben Hall received a makeover thanks to a $2 million Title 3 grant from the U.S. Department of Education.  According to Dan Gilmore, Vice President of Finance and Facilities, this grant was used to make improvements to Eiben, focusing on the communications department. 

“Gifts and grants are just a wonderful thing for Chaminade,” said Gilmore.  “We were just fortunate that everything went right.”  

Termite damage, lack of lighting and scheduling were challenges that arose during the remodel. With these challenges came risks to people working in the building. Chaminade had to shut down the building to professors and staff over the summer and move professors’ offices to different buildings on campus until the remodel was finished.

This project, known as Eiben Phase I, has been in the works for a year now, but with school being in session from fall 2009 to spring 2010 the university was unable to start the remodel until this summer.        
On the lower level across the hall from room 127A you might notice that there are no longer three single doors, but instead you will see two sets of double doors.  These doors no longer lead to offices, but to a storage room and a new classroom. 

Along with the new communications classroom and workroom the grant allowed Chaminade to upgrade technology.  They installed a new air conditioning system, replaced the roof, emergency generator and fuel storage tank.

The design of the new classroom came from the ideas of communications professors Tom Galli and Cliff Bieberly, Ph.D.

“There are specific needs for each class,” said Galli who teaches the video and studio production classes.  Galli wanted to be able to have space to set up cameras and field lighting examples for his students.  These kind of set ups require high ceilings, moveable furniture and black walls for the lighting demonstrations.  A rubber-based padding was added so camera equipment can be moved around without damaging the floor.

The classroom also had to accommodate Bieberly’s lecture classes. A black corkboard was placed inside the room so the students can hang up their marketing ideas for his campaigns class.

The workroom was built to house Galli’s cameras and supplies.  It can also be used as a workspace for repairing any damaged equipment.  The storage closet in the classroom is extra space for Galli’s technical supplies as well.

This remodel was approximately one-third of a bigger plan to enhance Chaminade’s campus.  When the deadline of Sept. 30 passes for this Title 3 grant, Chaminade will be awaiting a response for another Title 3 grant, which if received will focus on the interior design department. 

The work is an ongoing project to improve the facilities on campus to create a better environment for faculty and students.