Category: Renovations

The Clemson Soccer Operations Complex has received two Green Globes from the Green Building Initiative, a non-profit organization that manages assessments and certifications related to environmental building practices.

Facilities awarded with this certification are recognized energy conservation, reduced water consumption, responsible use of materials, ecological stewardship, and healthy indoor environments for occupants. The Soccer Ops Complex joins a growing list of new construction and renovated buildings on Clemson’s campus that have earned two or more Globe certifications, including the:

• College of Business
• IPTAY Center
• Outdoor Recreational Fitness and Wellness Center
• Indoor Tennis Facility

To learn more about Green Globes certification, please visit the Green Building Initiative website.

Clemson University has spent the summer preparing a plan for on-campus learning for the coming fall semester. To this end, many changes to how students, faculty and staff interact are being made on Clemson’s campus, particularly in the classroom experience. General best practices such as face coverings and social distancing will be required while indoors. A specific strategy has been developed for academic buildings to meet the university’s expectations for safe learning within the classroom.

An ad hoc team consisting of space planners, building officials, and design professionals from various Facilities departments have been assisting Clemson University Emergency Management, Occupational & Environmental Safety, Building Security Coordinators, as well as the Provost to define how spaces are utilized with the guidelines for social distancing. As part of this, each classroom space is detailed with furniture layouts and chair placements.

This effort determines the number of students a classroom can accommodate while ensuring proper distancing.

Most Clemson courses are a hybrid of face to face instruction with online components. For larger classes to remain in-person, Facilities is helping to find additional spaces on campus that will accommodate large groups while also maintaining social distancing protocol. We have also collaborated with CCIT and academic affairs and the Provost to equip almost 700 classrooms, labs, and other spaces, with furniture, microphones and cameras installed in many classrooms.

This will allow for livestreaming of lectures for online instruction. With the goal of having the majority of classes that have face to face instruction blended with online components, Clemson is working diligently to ensure that this plan meets the medical guidelines for COVID-19 social distancing.

For more information about Clemson’s plan for the fall semester, please see the university’s dedicated website for COVID-19. There you can find up-to-date news, tips and best practices for students, faculty and staff.

Another major summer construction project has been completed: the reconstruction of the intersection of Walter T. Cox Boulevard and Calhoun Drive is now finished, with traffic flowing along WTC across all four lanes. Calhoun Drive is also fully accessible. The intersection now features a 4-inch tall traffic speed table designed to calm traffic through this pedestrian-heavy area between Sikes Hall, Douthit Hills and the soon to be completed College of Business.

Some work remains to be done with sidewalk construction and landscaping, but no further road closures are expected to be necessary.

There are many projects underway and the University is taking advantage of summer vacation for many to accomplish as much work as possible before the fall semester.

Highway 93

The underground utilities installation along Highway 93 between Sherman Road and Centennial Blvd. is complete and the highway is now fully open to traffic.  Permanent traffic lines will be painted on the roadway within the coming weeks.

Calhoun Drive Intersection Reconstruction

The intersection of Calhoun Drive and Highway 93 is being modified to improve traffic flow. A raised crosswalk similar to the pedestrian safety table on Williamson Road between Memorial Stadium and the Scroll of Honor is being developed for pedestrians who will cross Highway 93 between Sikes Hall and the new College of Business. Work is on schedule with a projected full reopening of the intersection this August.

Cherry / McMillan Intersection

Phase I of the underground utilities installation has been completed at the intersection of Cherry Road and McMillan Road. Phase II is scheduled to begin on July 22 and will require another full closure of the intersection until August 1. The third and final phase of the installation in this area will be scheduled for late 2019.

McMillan Road near Redfern

Installation of underground utilities across McMillan Road between the Redfern Health Center and Edwards Hall is expected to begin the first week of July. This work should take approximately three weeks to complete.

Newman / McMillan Intersection

Newman Road is being widened to four-lanes north of McMillan Road. Work is underway to prepare for an upcoming road closure to be announced. Once started, the intersection will be closed for approx. three to four weeks, but expected to open by August 12. Aside from brief disruptions relying on flagmen to guide travelers through the construction area, Newman Road currently remains open.

Perimeter / Lot C-1

A new traffic light with dedicated turn lanes is being established at the intersection of Perimeter Road and the commuter parking Lot C-1. This area will see one-lane traffic at times, guided by flagmen to allow drivers to travel both directions in turn.

More information

Please see the Clemson University Road Work Google Map for the most up-to-date information on current construction schedules. We also post updates regarding the latest developments to our Twitter feed. Finally, those wishing to avoid having to navigate construction using their own vehicle can take advantage of Parking Services’ Park-n-Ride service. See their summer schedule for more information.

In an effort to promote inclusion on campus, staff members from several Clemson University financial departments participated in ‘A Day in the Life of University Facilities,’ which allowed participants the chance to experience a typical work day for many Facilities employees: specifically, those in the areas of Custodial, Landscape, and Maintenance Services.

Sierra Holland, Administrative Coordinator to Brett Dalton and main organizer of the event, stated, “A Day in University Facilities was Brett’s idea.  He really pushed to make this happen, as an opportunity for the CONNECT for Inclusion cohorts to gain a better appreciation of the effort it takes for our team members in Facilities to make our campus look as beautiful as it does.  Going into the event, there was some reluctance as to the ‘real’ purpose behind having the cohort members spend a day in Facilities, as there was some concern about ulterior motives.  There were complaints about starting the day at 4:30am with our custodial team members, as some had to make adjustments to their personal lives.  But that is part of appreciating what other team members do.  I take my daughter to school and wish her a good day.  After having to be at work at 4:30am, I now have a greater appreciation for that time with her.  I think once people got over being here so early, the day was a real success.  I’ve received so many requests asking that we make this day a recurring event!  Perhaps the biggest win is the number of suggestions I’ve received from the CONNECT for Inclusion cohort members advocating for our Facilities team members and the different things we can do to help make their working environment more comfortable – from dri-fit shirts for landscaping and grounds team members, to turning on the air conditioning/heat earlier for our custodial partners – the increased consideration for others has been touching to hear.”

Chris Miller, University Facilities Customer Service Manager, assisted with the planning of the two-day event.  According to Chris, ‘Day in the Life’ provided a unique opportunity for the CONNECT for Inclusion cohorts to work alongside our frontline technicians. After speaking with many of the cohorts afterward, it was apparent that they not only came away a different perspective, but gained even more appreciation for what the Facilities’ staff members do for the University day-in and day-out.

“Brett Dalton’s vision for this event really came to life when you saw Todd Barnette painting athletic fields on a hot sunny day, Shirley Alexander and Lori Brierre insulating piping in a steamy Sirrine mechanical room, or Steve Crump spreading what seemed like endless yards of mulch behind ASC. It really was a great experience for both the cohorts and their Facilities partners. Even if it did start at 4:30am!” Chris said.

The Day in Someone Else’s Shoes

To kick off the event, cohorts joined the Custodial Department for their daily Safety Growl, which covered the negative effects of working while tired. From there, each cohort was paired with a custodian and worked side-by-side with them for 2 hours in the custodian’s assigned building. Next, the cohorts attended the Landscape Services Safety Growl where they learned how to identify and treat exposure to harmful plants like Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac. Everyone then traveled to the Academic Success Center to work with Landscape crews to re-mulch, pull weeds, and plant flowers in the area for 2 hours. The final leg of the day had each cohort partnering with a maintenance technician for 2 hours and assisting in various projects, such as painting athletic fields, insulating steam lines, pouring concrete, and installing electrical conduit.

GALLERY

The ClemsonLIFE program continues to grow so much that its current headquarters on the third floor of Godfrey Hall is no longer adequate for its size. In response to a need for additional square footage, ClemsonLIFE will move to a new location on Clemson’s main campus.

Starting this summer, ClemsonLIFE will officially claim the garden level of Tillman Hall as its new home. With an expected 13 new students arriving this fall–increasing the program’s enrollment to 40 students–the goal of the move is to establish a larger, inviting ‘home’ for all. The additional space in the garden level suite will be converted into a dedicated conference room for faculty,  and feature three classrooms for students. Director Erica Walters credits Founding Dean of the College of Education and ClemsonLIFE advocate George Petersen for acquiring the space and arranging the move, and Rick Owens of University Facilities for managing the renovations required by the program.

“It has been a true team effort, with support from President Clements, Dean Petersen, Dr. Joe Ryan, Rick Owens and his team, ” said Walters. “In August, the students of ClemsonLIFE will walk into a high-tech, top-notch facility that matches the Clemson Forward vision in research, engagement, academics, and living. We are thrilled to be a part of the Clemson family and ingrained in the culture of Clemson.”

One of the renovations included a full-floor restoration. The work was completed by external contractors, two full-time employees from ClemsonLIFE, as well as additional program volunteers.

ClemsonLIFE students will also enjoy new living quarters beginning in the 2018-2019 academic year. Housing has arranged for the students to move from Lightsey Bridge to the new Douthit Hills suites at the beginning of the fall semester.

Spring Flower Planting

Before entering the new suite, visitors will notice a new flower bed on Tillman’s north side. That’s the work of ClemsonLIFE participants, who worked with Landscape Services to plant various flora, which included “Setsugekkas” (camellia sassanqua), “Big Blues” (Liriope muscari), and “‘Nana’ Dwarf Yaupon Holly” (ilex vomitaria). The north side will also receive a new building awning welcoming students, families and guests to the main entrance, while still keeping with the traditional visual of Tillman.