PROPOSAL FOR HONORS ROOM IMPROVEMENTS AT PENN STATE UNIVERSITY ABINGTON

Prepared for Dr. Samir Ouzomgi Interim Associate Dean

Submitted by Vicky L. Szabo Undergraduate

June 18, 2011

Abstract Since 1998, the Honors Room has been home to Penn State Abington Honors students, intended for study, meetings, and break among members. The size of the room is less than sufficient for the number of members, and over the past few years, the quality of the room technologically and structurally has deteriorated. The proposal is to expand, repair and refurbish the Honors Room so all current and future students can take advantage of their privilege.

Vicky L. Szabo 955 Central Rd Philadelphia, PA 19111 (215) 555-4000 June 18, 2011 Dr. Samir Ouzomgi Interim Associate Dean Penn State Abington 1600 Woodland Rd Abington, PA 19001 Dear Dr. Ouzomgi: I am attaching a proposal for repairs and expansion of the Honors Room in the Sutherland building to mend a deteriorated room frequented by students. The room provided for Honors students is not nearly sufficient to provide for all members, and is in such physical disrepair that attention must be given if only for safety. The recommendations for improvement are not substantial; however, improvements will be for the good of the Penn State community. I am also attaching a report from Cleveland Home Remodeling & Repair, outlining proposed expansion designs and restorations of the new room. I am anticipating your response to the proposal as soon as possible, so construction contracts can be made. May you grant authorization for this project? Please call me if you would like to further discuss details of the matter. Fax (215) 555-4100

Sincerely,

Vicky L. Szabo VLS: sd Attachment

PROPOSAL FOR HONORS ROOM IMPROVEMENTS AT PENN STATE UNIVERSITY ABINGTON Inadequencies with Honors Room When established in 1998, the Honors room was an additional award when given a membership in the Abington Honors Society. Along with $250/semester scholarship and priority class scheduling, the Honors room allows members only access to a private room -- on the relatively unknown fourth floor -- in which to conduct their studies, hold meetings, or socialize. The room has played a pivotal role in forming bonds and bringing together like-minded students. Over the past few years, it has been mentioned by several Honors room visitors that the room is too small to satisfy all visitors, let alone the majority of the Abington Honors Society. The rooms were constructed to be small before the arrival of the Penn State Abington (PSA) campus. The Sutherland building was purchased in 1903 by a local seminary and turned into an all-girls school. During its tenure, the Ogontz School for Girls had the fourth floor of the building reconstructed to make smaller rooms to use as dormitories. The average size room, used also as offices for professors, is 10ft by 15ft. When Penn State purchased the school in 1950, they left the rooms as they were. The roughly 150 sq. ft. Honors room is stocked with three side-by-side computer desks -- which is all that can fit -- with three computers, a printer, an octagon-shaped table, two love seats, small closet, and four additional chairs. Even the few amenities currently take up the majority of the available space in the room. To date, the highest occupancy the room has handled is 15 people, and not that comfortably. Considering the Abington Honors Society has an average yearly membership of 60 students, the size of the room is hardly sufficient in allowing one quarter of the Honors students to use the room at once, let alone the entire body; not to mention, there are only three available computers for 60 students. As a room used for study, it is suggested that more computers be available to students. The quality of the Honors room has also deteriorated over time with little improvement to date. The three computers in the room have various software issues - at times, they do not work at all. The printer has had daily paper jams and is now all but defunct. The air conditioner for the one window was the sole improvement; after a year of malfunctioning, it was finally replaced. All four walls and ceiling have obvious and widespread damage - large areas of paint have chipped off and three holes have been punched in. The holes have been open doorways for stink bugs, bees, flies, and spiders. The door handle for the closet is completely detached. The carpeted floor is stained from years of drink spills that have never been properly cleaned up. The very poor quality of the state of the Honors room is a disgrace not only for the Honor students who use it but also to the school for not properly taking care of their students and their students needs. The state of the room shows clear disregard and ignorance by the school for necessary improvements. It is imperative the Honors students receive a proper room for which all members can comfortably study without distraction by available space or improper equipment.

Proposed Solution To repair and restore the Honors room for the use of current and future students, I recommend the following actions: Relocate Honors room to the two adjacent empty rooms 406 and 407, located at the other end of the hall on the fourth floor of the Sutherland building Reconstruct new room by removing shared wall between 406 and 407 Repair remaining walls and replace carpeting in new room Refurbish and restock new room with newer and more computers, electronics, and lounge furniture The door to the new room will have keypad-entry locks added, similar to the doors for the current Honors room. Because two rooms will be joined, the new room will have two doors. It is not necessary to remove either door, as larger traffic will permit the use of two doors. Cleveland Home Remodeling & Repair has accepted the offer to complete the project. Refurbishing and restocking the room will be under the responsibility of the Dr. Andrew August, Honors Coordinator, and the Penn State Abington Financial Department. Schedule In order to complete the recommended actions, the project will be carried out in four phases: The design phased will be a joint operation between the University management and the contracted company, Cleveland Home Remodeling & Repair. I have discussed the project with the companys officiating contractors, and their plans for reconstruction are flexible in blueprinting, budgeting, and time constraints. A consultant for the company has reassured me they will take full responsibility of design, plans, specifications, and full construction, and if any issues should arise, lifting the burden of additional responsibilities by PSA. PSA should still oversee all steps and progress in the project, and impose requirements or recommendations if necessary. The bid phase will require an architect hired by PSA to share design plans with potential contractors who will estimate the cost of the project. The construction phase will require a general contractor to complete the project. I highly recommend Cleveland Home Remodeling & Repair for the position. Further discussions with the contractor have revealed a solid reputation and enthusiasm for involvement in public projects. The companys flexible plans also benefit PSA. To provide Honors students with a room for the upcoming school year and reduce traffic and constraints of classes and construction, the project should be completed before the beginning of the school year, set to begin on August 22, 2011. I suggest the following schedule for the completion of the project:

Item PSA Dean approval Create agreement with contractor Complete plans and specifications University review of plans Offer bid Close bid Start construction Complete construction Cost

Deadline July 1, 2011 July 6, 2011 July 15, 2011 July 21, 2011 July 25, 2011 July 30, 2011 August 1, 2011 August 20, 2011

The project cost for reconstructing and refurbishing the new Honors rooms, as estimated by the contractor and the PSA financial department, is estimated at $43,000. This cost includes engineering, construction, repairing, refurbishing, and stocking as shown in Table 1. Table 1 Projected Costs Engineering Design Additional Services Total Engineering Cost Construction Wall Removal Total Construction Cost Repairing Plastering Painting Total Repairing Cost Refurbishing Carpeting Wiring Keypad Locks Total Refurbishing Cost Stocking Computers Printer Computer desks Chairs Lounging

$5,000 2,000 $8,000

$2,000 $2,000

$2,500 2,500 $5,000

$4,000 1,000 500 $5,500

$12,000 1,500 3,000 2,000 4,000

Total Stocking Cost Total Project Cost

$22,500 $43,000

Additional engineering services include plan preparation, procurement of specification and bid documents, and manual labor. The individual construction costs are predetermined and include material and labor, which are provided and expected. The same conditions are applied for repairing and refurbishing costs. Stocking costs are based on average retail prices as of June 2011 and estimated number of items predicted to accommodate the new room. Ultimately, it is under the discretion of the Honors Coordinator and the PSA financial department to decide on the number and brand of each stock item. Costs for the project can be funded by PSAs yearly donations from Penn States University Park campus, which totals in millions of dollars per year and used primarily to fund campus projects. These donations would be able to and are appropriate to cover all project costs. Evaluation To monitor proper completion of the project within the scheduled timeframe, it is necessary that progress reports be submitted ever week. The on-site coordinator of the project should submit a progress report to the PSA Dean each week, with emphasis on time constraints. The Dean is responsible for analyzing the progress of the plan, and make any changes or halt progress if necessary. PSA personnel should make frequent spot checks to confirm completion of steps. Benefits The new Honors room will have more than double the square footage and available space than the current Honors room. This will allow more students to frequent the room at once without cramping. Repairs in the walls and floor will seal the room of any drafts and bugs that can make its way inside. New and more computers will fix availability issues, and a new printer will help students with academic needs. New lounge chairs and amenities will add to the comfort and aesthetics of the room and provide a relaxing atmosphere in which to conduct work and meetings. Conclusion Providing a fully furbished and spacious study room for the Abington Honors Society members is the least Penn State Abington can provide for its valued students, and has been long awaiting a upgrade. The current Honors room, intended for study and meetings, is hardly adequate in providing either - the room cannot comfortably hold a even one quarter of its members, and the technology and structure provided is in disrepair. The recommendations I give to Penn State Abington to solve this problem is to completely relocate the Honors room, to a larger room with finished floors and walls and more updated technology. These improvements will benefit the Honor students in providing an adequate location for studying and meeting.