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Daniel E. Meyers

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Section 10 – The 1990s

Irvin Hall’s Centennial: 1925-2025
Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

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The 1990s
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES September 28, 1990 REPORT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCE AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS The Chairman called upon Mr. Demske for his report. (See attachment C) CONSTRUCTION REPORT […] 33. Irvin Hall Renovation: Capital Improvement funding of ,203,000 to house the GREAL, Classics, French and Italian, and Spanish/Portuguese departments has been approved. New work will include major upgrades of the heating and ventilating, power distribution and lighting, plus new air conditioning and a fire protection system. Classrooms and the languages lab will be updated with modern technologies and there will be some floor plan reconfiguration. The project is part of the 1991-1992 Capital Plan. The program of requirements was submitted to and approved by the Ohio Board of Regents. In response to a request for professional design services, the State Architect's Office has released a short list of potential firms. The interview process took place in September, 1990. […]
DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES IN IRVIN HALL AS OF 1990 French & Italian German, Russian, and East Asian Languages Spanish & Portuguese Language Laboratory International Programs Office
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES April 13, 1991 REPORT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCE AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS The Chairman called upon Mr. Demske for his report. (See attachment B) CONSTRUCTION REPORT […] 14. Chilled Water Loop - Phase III: This project is an expansion of the South Refrigeration Plant to serve Irvin, Alumni, Harrison and Kreger Halls and is completely funded as part of H.B. 808. The firm of Thermal Tech Engineering has been selected and the project scope defined. Negotiations for design fees are currently in progress. […] 30. Irvin Hall Renovation: Design development drawings have been completed and a code review by the State is now in progress. This classroom building is scheduled to be off line for the 1991-92 school year due to construction. […] 60. Irvin Hall Staff Relocation: No change since the last report.
U. RECONSTRUCTION CONTINUES AS AGED BUILDINGS RECEIVE FACELIFT Jenny Heyersdorf With Hall Auditorium's renovation complete and the restoration of Irvin and Hiestand halls scheduled to be finished this fall. Miami University is preparing to undertake more construction projects. In addition to the construction of the Recreational Facilities Center, scheduled to open in the summer of 1994, Miami is planning major renovations of Peabody Hall, Alumni Hall, and Campus Avenue Building. "We’re in a renovation cycle,” said John Gerbcrick, information systems manager for Miami's Physical Facilities Department. “We've had two or three major building cycles, but because of budget constraints. Miami and most state organizations in Ohio are now in a renovation phase.” This renovation phase has included the .5 million renovation of Hall Auditorium, the .2 million Irvin Hall project, the renovation of Hiestand Hall, as well as the projects on line for the next couple of years. The two most imminent projects, according to Roger Rowe, director of Physical Facilities, are Peabody Hall and CAB. which will both begin in 1994. “The total budget for Peabody is six million [dollars],” said Rowe, explaining that .5 million is from the Federal College Facilities loan program and 5 million will be from state or local appropriations. He said that although state money for new building has been cut to Ohio universities, capital fuinding, or money for renovations, has remained constant. This funding, combined with federal loans, will pay for Peabody as well as other upcoming projects, Rowe said. The restoration of Peabody is more difficult than restorations of other main campus buildings, according to Gerbcrick, because of both the age of Peabody and because of its status as a national historic building. "We must follow historic preservation guidelines in Peabody.” said Gerbcrick "This is difficult because when you renovate, you are also required by law to bring the building to current safety code standards.” When renovating Peabody, for example, infrastructure changes will be made first — things like replacing ventilation systems and wiring
systems, generally making things safer, Gerbcrick said. These infrastructure changes will then be augmented by programmatic changes, which are determined both according to the user group's needs and by budget feasibility. Such changes have to be made with the necessity of preserving the wood floors and wooden doors in the hall in mind — not necessarily the best choices for fire prevention, but nonetheless required by law. Gerberick said. This system of infrastructure upgrading then programmatic considerations is the one used in all building renovations on campus, Rowe said. Programmatically, the renovation of Hall Auditorium included the construction of a 750-seat auditorium and of facilities for the philosophy department. Irvin was renovated for the foreign language and classics departments. Additionally, the University has put in chilled water lines underground to make air conditioning of campus buildings more environmentally and economically efficient. Hall and Irvin will both have air conditioning, as will all the buildings undergoing renovation, said Rowe. The amount of construction in the current renovation cycle is “a little more than normal,” said Rowe, who explained that ”we do have a strategic long term plan in terms of building reconstruction.” He explained that the University prioritizes buildings based on the amount of money available as well as the recommendations of senior administration, the Committee for Campus Planning and the Office of Fiscal Priorities. He noted that the age of the buildings and the programmatic changes requested by the user group are two of the primary considerations in prioritizing buildings for renovation. Peabody, built in 1871, is one of Miami's oldest buildings, but is far from alone in its antiquity. Fourteen Miami buildings were built in the 1800s. and 50 were built before 1930. Indeed, virtually all of lhe buildings on Western Campus are listed on the National Historic Register, as are such main campus
U. RECONSTRUCTION CONTINUES AS AGED BUILDINGS RECEIVE FACELIFT - Continued buildings as Elliott and Stoddard halls, Oxford College and Langstroth Cottage, according to Gerberick. The desire to preserve the quality of old buildings and to keep the continuity in Miami’s campus while also upgrading facilities to meet changing needs is a difficult challenge, Gerberick said. “We're trying to preserve tradition," he said. In a time of budget constraints, that isn’t always easy for administration — or convenient for students. The residents of Peabody Hall will be relocated during its construction work, for example, as will architecture students in Alumni Hall during its renovation. And of course, there are those students who complain of the inconveniences of having to walk around the roped-off areas and over torn-up pavement surrounding renovation sites. Fortunately. students will directly benefit from many of the pending changes. Air conditioning in Irvin on hot September afternoons will undoubtedly be appreciated by many a Spanish student.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES April 11, 1992 Resolution on Approval of Contracts for the Renovation of Irvin Hall On recommendation of the President, Mr. Lehman moved, Mr. Gunlock seconded, and by voice vote Resolution R92-49 was adopted. RESOLUTION R92-49 WHEREAS, House Bill 808 of the 118th General Assembly appropriated ,203,000 for the Irvin Hall Renovation Project on the Oxford Campus; and WHEREAS, the original bids and rebid exceeded the state appropriation for this project and the University had to identify funds to supplement the original appropriation, and the Board of Regents having now approved the transfer of 0,000 from Basic Renovations and ,750 from Chilled Water Loop Projects; and WHEREAS, ccmpetitive bids were received for this project on February 20, 1992 by the Division of Public Works, Office of the State Architect & Engineer; and WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees desires to award contracts to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the award of contracts to the following vendors for the Irvin Hall Renovation Project:
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES RESOLUTION R92-49 - Continued Wise Construction Company, Inc. 1705 Guenther Road Dayton, Ohio 45427 T.l. #31-1087868 Item #1 - GENERAL CONTRACT $ 1,075,000 Alt. GC-1 Replace South Elevation Windows per Drawings 78,000 Alt. GC-2 Replace the Remaining of the Building Windows per Drawings 265,000 TOTAL GENERAL CONTRACT $ 1,418,000 Carrigan & Grimm 1216 Jackson Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 T.l. #62-1011775 Item #2 - PLUMBING CONTRACT ,650 Dalmation Fire, Inc. 4900 Parkway Drive, S. 150 Mason, Ohio 45040 T.I. #35-1765162 Item #3 - FIRE PROTECTION CONTRACT $ 74,845
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES RESOLUTION R92-49 - Continued Julian Speer Co. 600 Oakland Park Avenue Columbus, Ohio 45214 T.I. #51-4418875 Item #4 - HEATING, VENTILATING, & AIR CONDITIONING $ 1,128,609 Alt. HVAC-1 Additional Window Louvers 2,200 Alt. HVAC-2 Underground Chilled Water Piping 8,750 Alt. HVAC-5 Provisions for Emergency Generator 11,795 Alt. HVAC-7 Add Sound Measurement and Vibration Testing 1,690 Alt. HVAC-13 Glass Cloth Jacket in Exposed Areas 31,860 TOTAL HVAC CONTRACT ,184,904 Campbell Electrical Construction, Inc. 6900 Logsdon Road Hamilton, Ohio 45011 T.I. #51-1199607 Item #5 - ELECTRICAL CONTRACT 7,500 Alt. E-5 New Feeders in Existing Conduit for Panelboards 5,495 Alt. E-4 Rigid Conduit for Panelboard 1,700 Alt. E-5 Emergency Generator 7,860 Alt. E-9 Telecommunications Wiring 2,890 Alt. E-11 Smoke Detectors in Attic 2,300 Alt. E-12 Integrated Circuit Electronic Ballasts N/C TOTAL ELECTRIC CONTRACT 7,745
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES RESOLUTION R92-49 - Continued TOTAL CONTRACTS RECOMMENDED $ 3,085,144 The Department of Public Works received bids for the renovation of Irvin Hall which exceeded the appropriation made by the State Legislature in House Bill 808. After rebidding and reviewing the project by the associate architect, the state architect’s office, and the Department of Physical Facilities, it became apparent that, based on the revised estimates, additional funds were needed to permit this project to move forward. After consultation with staff, we have identified funding totaling 8,750 from the Basic Renovations and Chilled Water Loop Projects, that could be appropriately used to supplement House Bill 808 funds. We recommend the Board’s approval of using such funds and the awarding of the contracts to the low bidders on this project.
MIAMI UNIVERSITY RECEIVES FACE LIFT FOR MILLION By Todd A. Haacke As many Miami University of Middletown students will be transferring to the Oxford campus next year, several renovated buildings await to be used. However, there is controversy looming. Faculty, students and parents wonder why all the renovation and construction when Miami has seen millions of dollars slashed from its budget. Miami has always had a committee of architects constantly evaluating the structure of the buildings on campus,” said John Girberik, support and space coordinator. ”The buildings that are renovated have asbestos removal if needed, additional life safety, fire safety features and are designed to be more user friendly.” […] Irvin Hall, that will accommodate the foreign language departments, will have a cost that will total over three million. “In Irvin Hall additional attention had to be given to asbestos removal that obviously increased costs,” mentioned Girberik. […]
IRVIN ASBESTOS FREE, RENOVATION BEGINS.9 million construction job to be completed by fall of 1993 Hope Smith The .9 million Irvin Hall renovations should be in full swing by mid May, following three months of asbestos removal, Project Manager Dwight Coleman said. Funding for the project, provided by the state, was approved on April 20. The work will be carried out by five separate contractors from Cincinnati and Dayton and supervised by Miami Physical Facilities, Coleman said. The construction is scheduled to be completed by fall 1993, Coleman added. Associate Provost Joseph Cox said the changes to the hall include adding air conditioning, heating, and plumbing systems, replacing old windows, upgrading the restrooms by adding handicapped facilities and installing sprinklers. Cox said Irvin was chosen because it was "next in line" for upgrading since the building was built in 1925 and has not undergone any major improvements in its mechanical, electrical or plumbing systems since then. Irvin was at a "standard that did not meet the standards of the University," Cox said. "The faculty needed relief." Professor Michael Bachem, chairman of the German, Russian and East Asian Languages Department, said he remembers when the University president and provost were invited to "slosh through" water that filled the basement, where his and other offices were located. That’s when they got serious about the changes, Cox said. Bachem said he was “grateful” and “happy” for the changes that would allow all four of the language departments — French and Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, Classics and GREAL to be housed in the same building for the first time. The changes, however, have not come without sacrifice. Space is very tight and accommodations had to be made not only for the classrooms that would be under construction, but for the department offices as well, Bachem said. The GREAL department office has been moved to MacMIllan Hall where a bathroom room serves us a passageway between the secretary and the chair’s office and they store a filing cabinet next to the bathtub.
IRVIN ASBESTOS FREE, RENOVATION BEGINS - Continued Mitchell Greenberg, chair of the French and Italian Department, also looks forward to the improvements over the substandard conditions the faculty formerly worked in. His department has been relocated to Hoyt Hall on Western Campus. Steve Pohlman of Physical Facilities said much of the improvements include deferred maintenance — “replacement of things that are worn out” - and the general upkeep of everything else, The original estimate for the renovations was .2 million, however, Coleman said, unforeseen problems, like having to replace the windows, a 0,000 expense, have made the price go up. The number of classrooms in Irvin will not Increase, nor will square footage in general; however, there will be a redistribution of the space to Include a lecture hall, a film screening room, places for students to sit in the corridors, and a new language lab, Coleman said. The plans do not include many frills for the building, but the architects have designed some areas of the corridors to reflect the languages taught in the hall by adding colorful tiles to the floor and painting designs on the ceilings.
GROUND FLOOR BLUEPRINT FOR IRVIN HALL 1991 RENOVATION
GROUND FLOOR BLUEPRINT FOR IRVIN HALL 1991 RENOVATION
FIRST FLOOR BLUEPRINT FOR IRVIN HALL 1991 RENOVATION
FIRST FLOOR BLUEPRINT FOR IRVIN HALL 1991 RENOVATION
SECOND FLOOR BLUEPRINT FOR IRVIN HALL 1991 RENOVATION
SECOND FLOOR BLUEPRINT FOR IRVIN HALL 1991 RENOVATION
ATTIC BLUEPRINT FOR IRVIN HALL 1991 RENOVATION
REVISED ROOM NUMBERING PLAN FOR IRVIN HALL
RECENSIO IRVIN HALL CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS Oxford — Irvin Hall has been undergoing construction this year in order to improve usability. Classes and offices usually held there were moved to other locations across campus. Most noted for being home to the language departments, some offices and classes were temporarily housed in MacMillian, Campus Avenue Building and McGuffey. Irvin was undergoing intense renovation to improve the usability of the office and classroom facilities, according to Dwight Coleman, project manager. Asbestos also was being removed from the building. It will be ready to open again in the summer of 1993, at an estimated cost of million. "I think it was a wise expenditure of state-funded money to renovate both Hall and Irvin since there is a shortage of classrooms available as well as professors having their offices moved," sophomore Katie Voitlein said. "I think it is fine for them to renovate the building. I think we should be more informed of what they are doing so we know how our money is being spent," sophomore Jen Smith said. - - - ROBIN SKOV
A NEW VIEW A view of Kreger Hall from recently renovated Irvin Hall. The building was closed for two years for work which included the installation of an air conditioning system and the removal of asbestos. Irvin houses the foreign language department.
DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES IN IRVIN HALL AS OF 1993 Classics French & Italian German & Russian  German, Russian, and East Asian Languages Spanish & Portuguese Language Laboratory (renamed to Interactive Language Resource Center)
RECENSIO FEELING WINTER’S CHILL Fresh from the cozy comfort of winter break, Miamians returned to Oxford only to find the city under the siege of sub-zero weather. From their rosy noses to their frozen toes, students coped last January with a deep-freeze that paralyzed most of Ohio. With temperatures plummeting well below zero and breaking several records, Miami University administration attempted to conduct business as usual despite the dangerous weather. […] "It was ridiculously cold," said Tracy Steinberg, Miami University junior, "I had to walk from Bachelor to Irvin Hall in 10 minutes. By the time I got there, I literally could not feel my fingers. I thought I might pass out.” By 2 p.m. on Tuesday, January 18, the severity of the elements reached a peak that could not be ignored. Students and professors were notified that classes were canceled from 4 p.m. Tuesday until 8 a.m. Thursday. According to the Miami University News Bureau, the last time classes were canceled for weather related reasons was during the 1978 blizzard that crippled Southern Ohio. […]
RECENSIO ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT Story by Jennifer O'Connell As she sits tucked away in Irvin Hall, Classics Professor Judith de Luce ponders her next move. She's torn between continuing her analysis of ancient mythological works, going to a brown bag lunch for Miami's women faculty and staff, or playing racquetball. Her diverse background and recognition is shadowed by the diversity of her personality. "I do like to cause trouble," she admitted, "I like to rattle people’s chains." As the chair of the Executive Committee of the University Senate, she does just that. By setting the agenda for Senate, she said her job is a "juggling act," in which she must raise issues with the president and the provost. At Miami since 1974, de Luce is "very proud of her role in the University Senate," but claims it is difficult to represent decisions she doesn't agree with. One controversial issue was the use of the name "Redskin." Last year de Luce and Senate gathered and presented information on the issue to President Risser.
RECENSIO - Continued Professor de Luce said Senate is now focusing on proposed adjustments to the Miami Plan, the university's new liberal arts program. "No one could anticipate these changes," she said, "so we had to do some fine tuning to make the plan better.” In addition, de Luce teaches classes in ancient law and art, gerontology, and classical mythology. Professor de Luce's specialty is in ancient Rome and the Latin language, and she is involved in the high school advanced placement test, where she contributes to the development of this internationally administered exam. She is also on the steering committee for the Association of Women Faculty and Staff, which she said is "an important opportunity for networking for the group's 150 members." In her spare time, de Luce enjoys racquetball and singing with the Oxford Chorale Ensemble.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES June 9, 1994 Recommendations from the Committee on Naming of Campus Facilities RESOLUTION R94-43 BE IT RESOLVED: that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the following recommendations from the Committee on the Naming of Campus Facilities: Harry T. Wilks Conference Center - Hamilton Campus Virgil and Myrna Schwarm Hall - Hamilton Campus Rentschler Library; in Schwarm Hall - Hamilton Campus (Relocation of the library from Rentschler Hall to Schwarm Hall) Haines Food Court - Shriver Center Dedicated by Bob and Dorothy Haines '41 and '41 in loving memory of their mothers, Mabel Andrew Haines '12 and Ethel McKinney Brown '16 Corwin M. Nixon Aquatic Center - Recreational Sports Center Atrium Concourse - Recreational Sports Center Gift of the partners in Tower Rentals, New England Square and University Housing Robert N. Phillips, Jr. Courtyard - Irvin Hall
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES December 10, 1994 Recommendations from the Committee on Naming of Campus Facilities On recommendation of the President, Mr. Farmer moved, Mr. Marcum seconded, and by voice vote Resolution R95-24 was adopted. RESOLUTION R95-24 BE IT RESOLVED: that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the following recommendations from the Committee on the Naming of Campus Facilities: […] 5. MARION LEE MILLER READING ROOM Room 146, Irvin Hall In recognition of Dr. Miller's 30+ years of service to the German, Russian, and East Asian Languages Department and Miami University
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES February 7, 1997 Resolution on Approval of Award of Contracts for Campus High Voltage Improvements - Feeder T RESOLUTION R97-31 WHEREAS, Senate Bill 264 of the 121st General Assembly appropriated ,500,000 in funding for Campus High Voltage Improvements on the Oxford Campus; and WHEREAS, the State of Ohio Controlling Board has released 9,511 in funding for the Feeder "J" High Voltage System; and WHEREAS, this primary voltage system will feed Irvin, Alumni, Bishop, and Wells Halls, along with a new feeder to Hanna House; and WHEREAS, this project is a combination of two phases, Phase A is being constructed along with the Alumni Hall project which provides power to Alumni Hall and Phase B provides power to the remaining buildings; and WHEREAS, the project consists of a new electrical duct bank, building feeders, and vault mounted switches in manholes at Irvin and Alumni Halls and a pad mounted switch at Hanna House; and WHEREAS, construction proposals for Phase A were received from the existing on-site contractors for Alumni Hall on March 27, 1996 by the Office of Construction Management; and WHEREAS, competitive bids were received for Phase B of this project on September 27, 1996 by the Miami University Purchasing Department with all state guidelines maintained; and WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees desires to award contracts to the lowest responsive and responsible bidders; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the award of contract to the following vendors for the Feeder "J" High Voltage System: Oberle & Associates, Inc. Alumni Hall General Contact CO 014-001 $ 87,040.00 Progressive Plumbing Co. Alumni Hall Plumbing Contact CO 014-003 9,210.00
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES RESOLUTION R97-31 - Continued ESI Electrical Contractors Alumni Hall Electrical Contract CO 014-004 129.225.00 Total Phase A Contracts 5,475.00 McGraw/KoKosing, Inc. 4701 East Oxford State Road Middletown, OH 45044 Base Bid Alt. G-l 2,500.00 Alt. E-l (24,000.00) Alt. E-2 15.600.00 Total Award to McGraw/KoKosing, Inc. 4,100.00 Total Phase B Contract 4,100.00 PROJECT BUDGET (presented to Controlling Board) Contracts Phase A 5,475.00 Phase B 274.100.00 Total Contracts 9,575.00 15% Contingency 74.936.00 Total Project Cost 4,511.00 Less Local Funds 25.000.00 TOTAL RELEASE 9,511.00
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES September 17, 1999 Miami University Physical Facilities Department Status of Projects Report Minor Projects 1. Academic/Administrative Buildings - Exterior Lock Systems Replacement: This 0,000 project involves the replacement of the cylinders and keying systems on the academic and administrative buildings that have not already been converted as part of the H.B. 901 Basic Renovations Appropriation. The work is required due to the general age and condition of the keying system. Many of the original manufacturers are no longer in business and replacement parts do not exist. Phase I, which included Kreger, Gaskill, and Irvin Halls, is complete. Phase II will involve the replacement of the lock hardware and exterior doors at the Center for Performing Arts and will be completed this winter.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES December 10, 1999 Miami University Physical Facilities Department Status of Projects Report Minor Projects 1. Academic/Administrative Buildings - Exterior Lock Systems Replacement: This 0,000 project involves the replacement of the cylinders and keying systems on the academic and administrative buildings that have not already been converted as part of the H.B. 901 Basic Renovations Appropriation. The work is required due to the general age and condition of the keying system. Many of the original manufacturers are no longer in business and replacement parts do not exist. Phase I, which included Kreger, Gaskill, and Irvin Halls, is complete. Phase II involves the replacement of the lock hardware and exterior doors at the Center for Performing Arts. The contract has been awarded and the work will be accomplished between December 15, 1999 and February 1, 2000. […] 7. Mechanical Upgrades in Shideler, Irvin and Hiestand Halls: There are a number of smaller projects contained within the scope of this project. New DDC controls will be installed on the air handling units at Shideler Hall and sound attenuation equipment will be installed on selected air handlers at Irvin Hall. The lobby air conditioning unit at Hiestand Hall will be relocated to make it more accessible. Design of this work will begin in January 2000. Construction should begin in April 2000 and will be complete by July 2000. […] 11. Performance Contracting: Phase III of Performance Contracting, which will implement energy saving opportunities, will commence late December 1999. The work consists of lighting upgrades, cleaning, and repairing HVAC equipment, controls upgrades, and sealing building envelopes. Some or all of this work will be done in Culler, Hiestand, Brill Library, Irvin, Kreger, and Laws Halls. This phase should be completed by March 2000. […]
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