Displaced offices relocate

More permanent locations found after mid-November fire

Kristen Donnelly / staff photographer Liz Heavner of International Accounting works in her office, which was moved into Warren Hall following the fire at the Financial Services Building in November 2003.

After using temporary facilities for almost a month, offices displaced by the mid-November fire at the Financial Services Building relocated to more permanent spaces over Winter Break.

"In less than 30 days, we were completely moved and running in a new office," said Claudia Clark, director of Payroll Services. "There was a lot of collaboration and cooperation in all parts of the university."

A decision either to tear down the complex or reconstruct it has not yet been reached, according to David Eton, assistant vice president of Risk Management.

"At this point, we're still negotiating with our insurance," he said. "We hope for a decision by mid-February."

The Division of Risk Management in Richmond looks at the cost of rebuilding the structure and compares it to the cost of starting over with a new building, Eton said.

"The choice is not solely up to us," he added.

Eton said he thought the different departments at the university "did a tremendous job" getting everyone moved so quickly.

"I think that indicates dedication and hard work," he said.

For Clark's office, the move went smoothly, she said.

Her office temporarily was relocated to Human Resources after the fire. Her current office is in the One Court Square building in downtown Harrisonburg.

"We actually have more room here than in the Financial Services Building," she said. "[The staff] adapted quite well to the new location."

Clark said, however, that the office space is "not as convenient to [Human Resources] or as close to campus."

The furniture and equipment lost in the fire were replaced promptly, Clark said. "All the areas within the university made it happen," she added.

One of the areas that was involved when creating the new offices was the Telecommunications office.

"We set up and installed over 60 computers and over 60 phones and fax machines," said Dale Hulvey, assistant vice president of Information Technology. "Our Telecommunications office was involved in the wiring and installation of network connections and telephones."

The Network Engineering staff and Computing Support office installed new computers and printers, he said. About 10 to 15 members from Information Technology were involved.

"Everyone really pulled together to get the offices back in service and relocated," Hulvey said. "It was a great team effort. The affected offices showed our staff that they really appreciated what we were doing to help."

Judy Powell, the Financial Service Building's coordinator and a Finance Office administrative assistant, said she thought the new office spaces were "very workable."

Powell was one of the first staff members notified of the fire in November. After the fire, her office worked temporarily from office spaces located near the Financial Services Building. The office moved to Warren Hall over Winter Break.

"They have come up with a good solution for us," she said.