McNair, TRIO to migrate to Dinkins

By Jonathan McFadden
mcfaddenj@mytjnow.com

Two scholastic university programs will find a new home in Dinkins this fall once construction in the former student center is complete by mid-September.

New partitions will create office space for the McNair Scholars Program and TRiO, said Walter Hardin, vice president of facilities management.

Though initially scheduled for completion by the time classes begin on Aug. 23, the university will have to hold off on installing new data switches and telephone lines, Hardin said.

Cost of construction will be at least $300,000, considerably less than the erection of a new building. Much of this is due in part to Winthrop’s commitment to adaptive re-use, Hardin said, or a total reconstruction of a building that creates use for something completely different.

Winthrop crews will also be doing a large portion of the work, Hardin said.

Named in honor of deceased astronaut Ronald McNair, the McNair’s Scholars program provides opportunities for under-privileged, disadvantaged or first-generation college students who are seeking to pursue graduate-level studies and participate in research endeavors.

Since fall 2009, the program was temporarily housed in the office of the College of Arts & Sciences in Kinard Hall. The program saw relocation in March 2010 after Owens caught on fire, but managed to find space in the Bancroft Annex once the repairs were complete.

As the program grew, the office space became “tight” for the program’s three working staff members, said Cheryl Fortner-Wood, associate professor of psychology and director of the McNair program.

“We remain grateful for the space we’ve had and are excited to move to this larger space, specifically designed with our students and staff in mind,” she said.

A move to Dinkins, which Fortner Wood said is the “right choice,” will bring with it office space for each staff member, “plenty” of storage room and space for “Scholars” to work on their research presentations and graduate school applications.

Moreover, the program is part of University College and should be in close proximity to other University College programs, she said.

As for TRiO, a program meant to provide services for disadvantaged or first-generation college students, the relocation to Dinkins will be the first time all of the TRiO Student Support Services and program services will be under one roof, said Program Director Rosemary Gray.

“I anticipate a more cohesive, smoother flow of services, particularly between academic counseling and tutoring,” she said. “There will definitely be a greater ease of referrals and monitoring of academic progress.

TRiO will also be able to work closely with the McNair Scholars Program, Academic Success Center and Honors Program, programs which some TRiO members are also involved with.

“Having all of these offices in the same building will allow for increased coordination, smoother communication, and a more efficient flow of services between the areas,” Gray said.

Another addition that will reshape Dinkins is a computer lab used for testing and utilized by both programs.