James Madison
University
2002 General Obligation Bond
Projects
Renovate Harrison Hall
& Annex --
$9.7 million
Harrison Hall, built in 1915,
has not had a comprehensive renovation in 30 years. Built in 1928, Harrison Annex has never had a
major renovation. After renovation,
the building and annex will house the School of Communication
Studies, the School of Media Arts and Design, the Institute of
Technical and Scientific Communication, the University Writing
Program and offices of the College of Arts and Letters. Without a renovated and expanded
Harrison facility, JMU would be forced to curtail enrollment in
majors that are highly popular with both students and
employers. Program quality would
also suffer. For example, the
School of Media Arts and Design would not be able to offer
instruction in digital broadcasting. Enrollment studies by SCHEV show JMU as having
an overall space deficit with the facilities presently housing the
four communications programs too small to meet their needs. SMAD, for example, is currently housed
in a temporary, leased, modular facility. Without renovation, Harrison cannot support
modern technologies and the type of instruction necessary to
prepare students for jobs in the 21st
century.
