Office moves aplenty for new semester
Linda Sjostrom
Issue date: 9/30/08 Section: News
At the start of the year, it was announced that nearly 100 campus offices had moved over the course of the summer. One month into the academic year, those who have been rearranged have settled into their offices to find what is working and what isn't, with mostly positive results.
"The move was very streamlined," said Cathy Gustafson, assistant professor and director for the Masters in Nonprofit Management program. "There was very little disruption at all. It was very smooth. It just meant packing up boxes one day and reporting to work the next in a different location."
Gustafson's office was moved from the Hamline Park Plaza to the new location in St. Louis Park last August.
Assistant Director for Disability Services Elise Meger also said the move didn't prove to be a problem.
Disability Services had a more complicated move than some other offices. Director Kate Rainbolt was out on vacation when her belongings were moved from her old office in GLC 133W to GLC 125W. Ten days later her things were moved from there into GLC 123W, and Meger's things were moved into the newly vacated space.
However, they say the move is a positive one. Rainbolt said their new offices are roomier and have bigger doorframes, which makes them more accessible. Meger said that they also have more privacy.
"There's only one office next to me," Meger said. She added that her new office location might be slightly confusing for some since it is not in the same hall as Rainbolt's space, but said visitors to her office "have adapted well."
For others, their new locations had additional benefits.
"For me, being a resident of the metro area, it's about 15 miles shorter to work," Gustafson said. "I still teach on the St. Paul campus, so I have the best of both worlds because I still have St. Paul contact."
Wesley Center Director Nancy Victorin-Vangerud started her career at the university this past summer with a move into 742 Snelling, along with the five other offices that now make up the Wesley Center for Spirituality, Service and Social Justice. She said that having the six directors in close quarters helps to create synergy, even if the office is off to the edge of campus.
"The move was very streamlined," said Cathy Gustafson, assistant professor and director for the Masters in Nonprofit Management program. "There was very little disruption at all. It was very smooth. It just meant packing up boxes one day and reporting to work the next in a different location."
Gustafson's office was moved from the Hamline Park Plaza to the new location in St. Louis Park last August.
Assistant Director for Disability Services Elise Meger also said the move didn't prove to be a problem.
Disability Services had a more complicated move than some other offices. Director Kate Rainbolt was out on vacation when her belongings were moved from her old office in GLC 133W to GLC 125W. Ten days later her things were moved from there into GLC 123W, and Meger's things were moved into the newly vacated space.
However, they say the move is a positive one. Rainbolt said their new offices are roomier and have bigger doorframes, which makes them more accessible. Meger said that they also have more privacy.
"There's only one office next to me," Meger said. She added that her new office location might be slightly confusing for some since it is not in the same hall as Rainbolt's space, but said visitors to her office "have adapted well."
For others, their new locations had additional benefits.
"For me, being a resident of the metro area, it's about 15 miles shorter to work," Gustafson said. "I still teach on the St. Paul campus, so I have the best of both worlds because I still have St. Paul contact."
Wesley Center Director Nancy Victorin-Vangerud started her career at the university this past summer with a move into 742 Snelling, along with the five other offices that now make up the Wesley Center for Spirituality, Service and Social Justice. She said that having the six directors in close quarters helps to create synergy, even if the office is off to the edge of campus.
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