Acting quickly in light of recent air system problems, the University of Vermont Board of Trustees on Dec. 1 approved a $7.5 million renovation of Terrill Hall to begin immediately and to be completed this summer. After animated discussion in two committee meetings and the board as a whole the day before, the Board sealed the deal on Saturday when it also passed an increase in the University's debt load from 5 to 6 percent of its operating budget. That 1 percent translates to about $5 million in additional debt each year. The caveat is that all capital projects except deferred maintenance will require 25 percent of their price tag to be paid for by non-debt sources such as donations, grants, state and federal allocations and the like. Terrill's renovation does not fall into this category. Terrill joins an already active docket of projects including the Plant Science building to break ground this spring and Harris/Millis and Simpson Dining Hall to begin this summer. The board also approved the renovation of a research facility in Colchester, an upgrade of the Given courtyard and other projects. Until November, Terrill housed College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) departments of animal science and nutrition and food science classrooms, offices and laboratories. Occupants discovered problems in the building's heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems coinciding with the construction of the adjacent Davis Center. Thorough inspections concluded that Terrill needs new HVAC and electrical systems and lab upgrades. Anticipating this work, faculty and staff relocated from Terrill in October and November to wherever space allowed throughout campus primarily in McAuley Hall on UVM's Trinity campus. More than 30 people moved. "The renovation will include a new HVAC system and expansion of seven laboratories to 10 with an 11th lab roughed-in for future expansion," said CALS dean Rachel Johnson, announcing the news to faculty and staff during the weekend. "This is a wonderful vote of confidence in our college. Many, many thanks to our colleagues in the Departments of Animal Science and Nutrition and Food Science who have tolerated the disruption of the Davis Center construction as well as their current relocation around campus. I know we all look forward to seeing them move back "home" to a renovated Terrill Hall," she added. CALS Dean's office prepared this handy list of office relocations Phone numbers and emails remain the same. CAPTION On Dec. 1 the UVM Board of Trustees approved renovation of the circa 1950 Terrill Hall to upgrade and increase the number of labs and completely revamp its air systems. Cheryl Dorschner photo