The ULM campus is undergoing numerous changes to improve the life of the student body, the largest of which is the renovation of Sandel Hall. Other projects include the installation of a new roofing system for Stubbs Hall and a new International Student Facility.

According to Jason Roubique, Director of Facilities, Sandel Hall was first constructed in 1963 and served as the University Library until the new University Library was completed in 1999.

“Once completed, the renovated Sandel Hall will be a very modern facility that will provide easy and efficient access of administrative offices that serve the student body,” Roubique said.

Roubique said that the completed project will house many currently scattered facilities, such as a new bookstore and university radio stations.

University President Nick Bruno, stated in his master plan announcement that along with the offices, the renovations to Sandel Hall will also provide several multimedia classrooms, a multimedia conference room and a state of the art biology laboratory.

This $14 million project is scheduled to reach completion towards the end of 2015 and will be open early to mid 2016 given that no delays occur.

Along with this major renovation, other maintenance projects are currently underway to better the learning environment on campus.

Roubique said the installation of a new roofing system for Stubbs Hall is expected to continue during the week of Nov. 3 if not sooner.

This maintenance project has an estimated cost of about $500,000 and is expected to be completed by the end of Jan. 2015.

The new International Student Facility will feature recreational and study areas, a kitchen facility, and meeting areas. Edidiong Udofia, sophomore biology and pre-med major, believes the new facility will be beneficial in multiple ways.

“Coming together to learn more about other countries definitely benefits the students in terms of adding more knowledge and increasing their sense of diversity. Making friends from different parts of the world can also be beneficial, both now and in their future,” Udofia said.