There are many things going on here at campus. One of the bigger things that you may or may not have noticed is the construction and renovation of current buildings going on around you.

This is not something new by any means, but there are new projects being started from the long list of measure S and N projects.

One of the buildings already started is the Student Services building. This is what is taking up the space in Parking lot 1. “This [student services building] is to be finished in May 2012,” said Ron Perez Vice President of Administrative Services. One thing that should be popular with students will be the addition of a high speed elevator in the new building. Students may have experienced the unbelievably slow elevators that lead up to the main campus from the I-300 building.

The top floor of the New Student Services building will feature a new café for students and a student store where you will be able to buy school related paraphernalia such as Scantrons, ect.

The most recent project many students may have noticed is the demolition of the F-100, F-200 and J-200 buildings. This is the first step in the construction of the new Math and Science Building.

The new Math and Science building is “[The] most expensive building in the entire district,” said Public Information Officer Lina Heil. This 117 million dollar project is a 150,000 square foot facility complete with laboratories, classrooms and lecture rooms. When this building is completed in July of 2014 it will mark the 50th anniversary of Mesa College. Heil said there will be a yearlong celebration arranged to mark the occasion.

One thing to stop and admire is the fact that all of this is going on while the school is in full operation. “We are building a new campus over an old one,” said Perez. Perez also said that there were not any classes taken off of the schedule due to the construction. The added mobile village on parking lot 1 is where a lot of the classes are being moved to.

When the New student services building is completed there should be a net gain of 500 parking spots. Parking is a big problem for students and faculty alike so this should be a welcome change.

Once the new buildings are completed the mobile village will be done away with and classes will move back on campus just like normal.

All Proposition S and N projects are scheduled to finish in 2016. There are many things changing around campus and it is all for you the student, so be aware of your surroundings and appreciate the big changes coming to Mesa.