New Lease On Life

Plans to "repurpose" the space in Sid Richardson and Marrs McLean science buildings -- mostly vacated since the new Baylor Sciences Building opened in the fall -- are progressing, said Rick L. Creel, associate vice president for operations and facilities. 
"In our master planning, we are working toward being good stewards, not just with the new space, but with the space we already have," Creel said. "We are 'repurposing' the buildings."
The structural integrity of both the 40-year-old buildings is excellent, Creel said. Baylor's Board of Regents has approved fundraising for the Sid Richardson project but has not yet seen the final design and budget.
Once sufficient funds have been raised, the former Strecker Museum space and first floor of Sid Richardson will house the Academic Success Center, bringing together five academic student services in one location -- academic advisement, the academic support program, the Office of Access and Learning Accommodation, the student-athlete services study center and career counseling. 
The second and third floors of Sid Richardson will house the departments of mathematics and psychology. For the first time in many years, all math faculty will be at one facility. Psychology faculty offices have moved with the rest of the psychology and neurosciences department into the new building, but psychology classes will be taught in renovated Sid Rich classrooms. Faculty and student community areas designed to foster collaboration will be included in the renovation. All common areas and the courtyard will be refurbished, and the latter will feature landscaped gardens, a winding path and a coffee and food kiosk inside. 
Creel said project plans for Marrs McLean have not yet been formalized, but discussions are under way to earmark space for hosting conferences and promoting collaborative research among faculty, graduate students and the private sector.
The Department of Statistics will remain in Marrs McLean, and the Department of Communication Studies will expand into the second wing of the building.