Construction has taken off this summer for Cazenovia College — as both the South Campus, renamed Jephson Campus, and Eckel Hall undergo restoration and modernization for the upcoming fall semester. The upgrades are part of the college’s five-year plan, “Building Futures One at a Time,” which is intended to update the college’s science laboratories, create a turf field, add scholarships, ensure academic excellence and restore the Jephson Campus.

Eckel Hall, home of computer and science laboratories and located on Lincklaen Street, has had minimal changes made to it since its establishment in the 1970s and needs a general upgrade, said Carol Satchwell, vice president for institutional advancement. The work this summer, currently underway, includes gutting and restoration of the interior of the building to modernize the facilities, she said. The instructional fixtures, electrical and mechanical systems, chemical and organism storage, prep space, classrooms and laboratories all will be rebuilt with up-to-date technology, and new equipment for field and laboratory studies are to be purchased, she said.

“The completion date is aimed for August 2014 so that we can accommodate students and faculty in these classrooms next semester,” Satchwell said.

Jephson Campus, previously called South Campus, located at 10 Albany St., houses the college’s division for art and design. Since one-third of the college’s students are art and design students, it is important to modernize the classrooms, said Wayne Westervelt, vice president for marketing and communications.

“[Jephson Campus] is an old historic building and we want to preserve the historic look of that; so the project doesn’t involve tearing it down, it involves preserving the exterior’s historic feel and completely redoing the interior to modernize the facilities and to meet the needs of today’s students,” Westervelt said.

The college announced its plans to renovate the Jephson campus last year, and held a dedication ceremony in September to announce the receipt of $1 million in donations from the Jephson Educational Trusts. The Jephson family are landowners in Cazenovia and longtime supporters of the college.

The Jephson Campus’ funding goal is $3 million and so far more than $1.26 million has been raised, said Lisa Sasser, campaign director.

“The Jephson is in the very early stages. That’s part of the campaign and isn’t close to being ready [for construction],” Westervelt said.

The college’s five-year plan — started in 2010 — was created to modernize the campus and attract more students. With one year left in the plan, the college is more than 90 percent to their $10 million goal, having raised $9.1 million so far, Westervelt said.

More information on the college’s “Building Futures One at a Time” five-year plan can be found on the college’s website at cazenovia.edu/support-cazenovia.

Ashley Wolf is a summer intern for the Cazenovia Republican. She can be reached at [email protected].