Smith Annex to be removed, making way for MC expansion
- posted: 20 Feb 2007
- scrollcampus@byui.edu
Andrew Martinez / Scroll
Construction for the expansion of the Hyrum Manwaring Student Center will begin in a couple of weeks. Several trees in front of the MC have been removed to make way for the addition.
Due to construction on the Hyrum Manwaring Student Center, an announcement has been made that the Smith Annex will be removed.
Construction on the MC will take place in phases. The first phase is expected to begin sometime in March.
This first phase involves the construction of a major addition to the MC’s north and east sides, resulting in the removal of the Smith Annex, the small office building attached to the Joseph F. Smith Building.
Also to prepare for the first phase of construction on the MC, trees have been cut down. The trees were put into chipping machines and recycled. The small trees that still remain will be moved to other locations on campus.
There is no question that this is going to be difficult,
said James Smyth, vice president of University Resources.
Construction is estimated to begin in a couple weeks. The whole area will be fenced off so that construction can take place safely.
After considerable review and discussion, it was determined that the design for the Manwaring Center addition cannot effectively meet student needs with the Smith Annex remaining in place,
Smyth said.
The Smith Annex has been used since 1990. It has 25 faculty offices, secretarial offices and it houses the English Department. Employees working in this building are being relocated to the north wing of Rigby Hall. The date of relocation is not yet known, but expected to be at the end of the current semester or at the beginning of the next.
Many teachers with offices in the Smith Annex teach classes in the Smith building. The removal of the annex requires them to move and walk longer distances to and from class.
Most teachers in the Smith Annex are willing to support the construction plans and do what they are asked.
Jack Harrell, professor in the English Department, said, I think in the English Department and faculty, we care more about ideas and books than where our office is.
This change of address for the English Department will have an effect on students as well.
Some students are concerned about where papers and other homework are to be turned in. Finding faculty offices will also be more of a challenge.
The English Department should function the same way in Rigby Hall as it has in the Smith Annex, Harrell said.
The first phase of construction on the Manwaring Center is expected to be complete in the beginning of 2008.
Construction will require the cooperation of students and faculty. Within a reasonable period of time we will have very good communication for students by a variety of means,
Smyth said.
Updates on constructions and closures will be posted regularly on a university construction Web page. 
