Rogers State University has announced an $8 million expansion and renovation of Baird Hall, which houses programs in the liberal arts on RSU’s main campus in Claremore.
The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, the governing board for RSU, approved the project at its meeting on March 27 in Norman.
“This is a major step in the improvement and expansion of facilities on our Claremore campus,” said RSU President Dr. Joe Wiley.
The project will feature a doubling of the size of the building, resulting in a completely new facility.
“This expansion will provide much-needed space for our growing academic programs and alleviate some of the overcrowding of campus buildings due to our rapidly increasing enrollment,” said Dr. Larry Rice, RSU President Designate. “The building includes some exciting special features conducive to a contemporary learning environment.”
The present two-level facility has 24,000 square feet and was built in 1953. The new 52,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility will feature an entry hall, commons area, eight additional classrooms of various sizes, four seminar rooms, a research classroom, several learning laboratories and faculty offices.
Special features of the building include a lecture hall with a stage and elevated seating on the west side of the building and an outdoor classroom designed in an amphitheater style on the east side. In addition, the building will include a 2,100-square-foot art gallery, a special classroom and lounge for the university’s Honors Program, several renovated art studios and an archival room.
Funding for the project will be provided by the Oklahoma Higher Education Capital Bond Program, institutional funds and private contributions.
Construction documents and contracts are expected to be completed this summer with contracts being executed in early fall. Construction should begin this fall and be completed within 18 months, Rice said.
The architect for the project is ADG of Oklahoma City and construction manager is Trigon General Contractors and Construction Managers, Inc. of Tulsa. Both firms are working on the new RSU Student Services Center, and were selected and approved by the Board of Regents. A portion of the renovation project will be completed by the university’s physical plant staff.