Spring Break
MU Guest Services remodel nears completion
New reception design gets nod of approval from students and staff, more work set for this weekend
Daniel Acee
Issue date: 1/17/08 Section: News
Students and staff may have noticed a change when walking through the MU concourse recently.
The OSU Guest Services office, which many students may not realize exists, has undergone a large remodel.
OSU sociology student Kaleena Tuffo, who interacts frequently with the guest services office, said that she likes the new office very much.
The "bank teller" window that seemed out of place and uninviting, according to MU employee JayLene Seeley and others, has been replaced by a glass-walled waiting area and a reception desk extending into the concourse.
The MU Guest Services office plays a key part in almost all of the large and small events at OSU. Also, the office is staffed to answer questions for visitors, students and staff.
Planning for this remodel began a year ago when a team of employees and students used a process called "appreciative inquiry" to determine what problems the MU should address, said MU Director Michael Henthorne
They quickly ascertained that the area in most need was the Guest Services desk.
"[The desk] was not visible and did not give the student workers the connection to the public we needed," Henthorne said.
The team looked at many draft designs from different local architects. Last summer, they finally chose the one that best suited their needs.
The project was nearly completed over winter break, but it still needs a few finishing touches. Marble countertops and windows for the front desk will be installed on Jan. 19 and 20.
Funding for the remodel came from the MU's annual operating budget.
"Feedback from our student workers and guests using the Information Desk indicate that the remodel was a hugely popular decision,"
Henthorne said.
"[This remodel] is our way of reaching our hand out and saying, 'Hi, we're here," Seeley said.
Daniel Acee, Staff Writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
The OSU Guest Services office, which many students may not realize exists, has undergone a large remodel.
OSU sociology student Kaleena Tuffo, who interacts frequently with the guest services office, said that she likes the new office very much.
The "bank teller" window that seemed out of place and uninviting, according to MU employee JayLene Seeley and others, has been replaced by a glass-walled waiting area and a reception desk extending into the concourse.
The MU Guest Services office plays a key part in almost all of the large and small events at OSU. Also, the office is staffed to answer questions for visitors, students and staff.
Planning for this remodel began a year ago when a team of employees and students used a process called "appreciative inquiry" to determine what problems the MU should address, said MU Director Michael Henthorne
They quickly ascertained that the area in most need was the Guest Services desk.
"[The desk] was not visible and did not give the student workers the connection to the public we needed," Henthorne said.
The team looked at many draft designs from different local architects. Last summer, they finally chose the one that best suited their needs.
The project was nearly completed over winter break, but it still needs a few finishing touches. Marble countertops and windows for the front desk will be installed on Jan. 19 and 20.
Funding for the remodel came from the MU's annual operating budget.
"Feedback from our student workers and guests using the Information Desk indicate that the remodel was a hugely popular decision,"
Henthorne said.
"[This remodel] is our way of reaching our hand out and saying, 'Hi, we're here," Seeley said.
Daniel Acee, Staff Writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
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