Thu Jul 20, 2006: This is actually update number 3, but since I didn’t number the two previous editions, this will be the official starting point for these updates. Our goal is to publish an update about every two weeks unless activities warrant more frequent communications.

Speaking of Communications, we are rapidly learning that one of our most persistent problems during the project will be trying to keep everyone associated with the college – faculty, staff, students, and visitors – informed about what is happening and what is going to happen as the project moves forward. To deal with this we have formed a Communications Task Force made up of Steve Goetchius, George Rezendes, Karen Westerberg, Linda Waitkus, Karen Aubin, Cathy Palmer, Kem Barfield, Pauline Goyette, Sue Moore and Cheryl Salva. Our task is to provide ongoing communications in every type of media to get and hold everyone’s attention throughout the project. We may not be able to avoid the mess, noise, and discomfort that are unavoidable with any project of this size, but we can at least give everyone an idea of what to expect and avoid unnecessary concern, confusion and frustration. One of the central pieces of our communication program will be http://www.trcc.commnet.edu/Collocation/index.htm , our construction / collocation website. Take a look and see if you have any suggestions for additions or improvements.

Construction at the Mohegan Campus seems to be moving along smoothly with concentrations in four specific areas.

· With most tree removal completed, massive amounts of dirt and rock are now being moved to create a 500 car parking lot in the southwest corner of the campus. This will be the principal student parking lot and will be completed before the start of classes this fall. While this will be a rolled gravel lot rather than paved, it will be fully lighted, lined and consistently maintained throughout the construction period. In creating this parking lot the contractor has also needed to create a new loading dock and access ramp for the Bookstore which appears to be working well.

· The Childcare Playground has been effectively moved to the front of the college. After a somewhat slow start trying to figure out how to put the playscape back together, the contractors eventually did an excellent job of creating a new playground and have won the rousing approval of all the children in the center.

· The area to the immediate west of the college has been cleared and leveled in preparation for digging and pouring the foundations for the new NTHS Shop Wing. This foundation work will begin shortly.

· Work on the third floor of the college to strengthen the supporting roof beams seems to moving along very well. Additional support steel has been welded and / or bolted in throughout most all of the north half of the third floor and similar work on the south half of the floor should begin shortly. When this steel reinforcement is completed, work will begin to create the bases for the large mechanical and air handling penthouses that will be located on the roof. This work is scheduled to be completed by mid-august so that classrooms and offices can be put back in shape prior to the start of fall semester. We are very please to note that we will not lose our suspended ceilings on the third floor as we had originally expected. These will be replaced as soon as the reinforcement and roof work is completed.


Preparations at the Thames Valley Campus for our major collocation project there are also going very smoothly.

Asbestos abatement and room renovations to accommodate the move of all classes and offices into the south wing by the end of December are moving forward very well. The asbestos abatement contractors have been very helpful and professional and have been able to move along ahead of schedule with minimal disruption to any of our programs. A detailed graphic description of the abatement schedule for the remainder of this year is posted in the lobby at the Thames Valley campus. Because of our progress, many of the moves from the North to the South wing may be able to be accomplished before the start of classes this fall. A detailed schedule for these moves will be provided as soon as possible.
As to the status of the TRCC construction project at the Thames Campus, at this point all bid documents are scheduled to be finished and provided to DPW this week for advertisement. Bids will then be sent out in about three weeks for opening and contract award in September. When a successful bidder and price are determined, we should be able to go to the Bonding Commission in September or October. Actual construction is scheduled to begin in January of 2007 or as soon before or after that date as possible. Unfortunately, this is an election year where anything can happen, so keep your fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly.

Conclusion: Although these projects are just beginning, it is already possible to see how quickly they will begin to affect every member of the college community and in many respects dictate how we are able to do business. So please stay in touch with what’s going on around you and help encourage our students and visitors to be informed as well. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to give me a call.

One final note: The fact that we are moving ahead so well in so many areas of this complex undertaking is clearly a credit to the patience, flexibility, and helpful attitude of the entire college community. I want to particularly thank our maintenance staff and all the many other college faculty and staff at both campuses who assisted in the planning and execution of the numerous classroom and office moves this summer. The hard work and cooperation demonstrated here were truly exceptional and exactly the type of qualities we need to carry us through the next few years. Thank you.

--Joseph Anderson Jr., Dean of Administration, (860) 823-5202