By Julia Matias

The University gives itself a facelift as major construction projects near their end. From classroom renovations to state-of-the-art facilities, students will not fail to notice the many changes to better campus life.The most recent addition is the four-floor New Academic Building, which hosts a black box theater and soundproofed rehearsal halls for music and drama majors, across from Adams and Weed Halls. Brower Hall also received an interior renovation. The classrooms are now carpeted and boast blue-painted back walls. However, the most anticipated by students is the new pedestrian bridge between The Netherlands and the main floor in Axinn Library.The pedestrian bridge, a priority because of safety concerns from past accidents on Hempstead turnpike, should be completed by the end of November. Melissa Connolly, vice president of University Relations, said that even after the bridge itself is hoisted up, it will take six to eight weeks to complete the interior and finish the final aesthetic touches. Actual construction for both projects began as soon as students moved out in May. Although construction will end in due time, some students and staff are riding the line between excitement and impatience.”It would have made The Netherlands more complete [to finish sooner],” Abbey Banegas, a freshman psychology major, said. “I’m happy the University is giving us one, but it’s inconvenient not to have it now like.”Since the main construction took place in the summer, many students and staff were not directly affected. Even those in the Saltzman Community Services Center, whose front door is a few feet from the structure, was generally unaffected during construction.”It was nerve-wrecking for a while,” Nancy Manzolillo, administrative coordinator of the center, said. Despite vibrations sometimes felt in the building and the closing of the parking lot for a few days, nothing changed, she added.In the long run, these minor inconveniences will result in much needed safety precautions, Manzolillo said.”It’s dangerous at night when crossing [the turnpike] so I think it would be helpful and more safe,” Courtney Flanagan, a freshman business major, said.Unlike the pedestrian bridge, the renovation in the library caused several problems, especially for staff and students.”There’s been a lot of noise, dust, paint fumes and the access is inconvenient,” Sarah McCleskey, head of access services, said. “It may bother some students to come in because it’s so dusty and people don’t know what’s going on. We’re trying to make the best of it.””We’re hoping to have everything done by the beginning of October and the contractors are telling us that there are no obstacles that will keep [construction] from making the date,” McCleskey added. “It looks amazing, though. I’m happiest about the new security doors and the elevators.”University student Jennifer Lo, who works as a student technical coordinator, commented that even though it has been inconvenient, she is excited about the café being built on the main floor. “I can’t wait until I can finally eat while I work,” Lo, a sophomore business computer information systems major, said.