Inlow Hall, the first building on the Eastern Oregon University campus, was originally the base for all school functions but eventually became the Administration Building. A three-phase renovation of Inlow Hall began in 2009 with phase one but the $18.25 million in funding for phase two was not granted until 2021.
Phase two of the project will focus on structural issues such as completing seismic upgrades started in Phase one to make Inlow Hall more earthquake resistant, replacing the old clay tile roof, and removing unsupported brick chimneys. Other renovations include replacing electrical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems with more efficient ones, which will save money and create free space.
According to EOU’s capital funding request, the free space in Inlow Hall will be used for the Rural Engagement and Vitality Center. The REV Center was created to build partnerships between EOU students and local organizations.
Renovations will start July 1 and are estimated to last until July 2024.
With Inlow Hall no longer available for use, the University President, Provost, and University Council will be occupying three study rooms on the second floor of the library.
Brianna Beesley, a student library worker, fears that the loss of those study rooms will have a big impact on the students.
“I do believe that the renovations have made me feel less appreciated as a student … no one really spoke to students regarding the spaces they were going to be taking from us,” Beesley said.
Chayann Partain, Senate Chair of the ASEOU student government and library worker, first learned about the renovations on May 5. Along with the ASEOU, she met with the administration on May 15 to discuss the issue.
“All I wanted from the institution was to be a part of the decision-making process and for students to voice our concerns,” Partain said. “Unfortunately, with how far into the process they already were, we weren’t able to make a big impact; however, they are now aware that there was a gap in communication and that we felt like we deserved to be a part of the process.”
