By By Rachel Zabinski

Among the many recent changes being made at the University, expansion of the faculty and campus renovations are some of the most obvious.

While the ivy-covered exterior of Brower Hall, among the oldest buildings on campus, will keep its traditional look, the interior will be renovated with the latest classroom technology.

Major renovations in Calkins Hall will also be taking place this year.

According to a University press release, a fully digital language laboratory will be added, as well as two classrooms equipped for teaching foreign languages.

A space for displaying student artwork will also be added to Calkins.

“The space will be well lit and provide a professional atmosphere for Hofstra art students,” according to the statement.

The Zarb School of Business now has a trading floor with such up-to-date technology as Bloomberg terminals and stock tickers.

Construction has begun on a new academic building that will house the music department.

The building will now hold acoustic practice rooms for orchestra rehearsal and a 230-seat black box theatre with the latest lighting and stage equipment.

The theatre will also have a box office, dressing rooms, concession areas and lounges.

“I’m very involved in the plays here at Hofstra and it’s great that we are getting a new theatre,” said Danielle Fredane, sophomore creative studies major. “The other ones are out of date, especially the sound systems. The new theatre will improve the quality of our shows as well as the audience’s experience.”

The offices for professors of speech communications, history, rhetoric and performance studies and the music departments will also be located in the new building.

The School of Communications, which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, is also getting new instructional equipment and classrooms for engineering.

The residential side of campus also experienced some renovations this summer.

Carpets in Nassau and Suffolk Halls were removed and replaced with new tile in all rooms.

New sprinklers and lighting systems were installed in Netherlands North.

The Liberty-Republic Complex received new H-Vac systems, as well as sprinklers.

Residential Life continues to plan new improvements for the University’s residential facilities.

“We are planning to redo all lounge areas on campus within the next two years,” said Jean Anne Smith, the associate director of Campus Life. “This includes new carpeting, new furniture and kitchen equipment, as well as the addition of television sets and DVD players.”

The lounge improvements, which Smith said should be completed this year in Colonial Square, Netherlands North and South and Nassau-Suffolk Halls, are intended to create a greater sense of community in the dorms and make the lounges more of a gathering place.

Smith added that lounges in the high-rises will be renovated next year.

“I’m impressed that Hofstra is dedicated to making campus life a little better,” said Natalie Moctezuma, a sophomore music education major. “I think the lounges and other renovations will add a new element to Hofstra.”