Schmitt Hall Makeover
by: Dom Olinares
Schmitt Hall is 40 years old and it definitely looks old at the exterior. Since last year, Schmitt Hall has been undergoing several internal makeovers. This is something to look forward to for the alumni who will be "coming home" to Schmitt Hall (formerly known as the Chemistry Building) this December. Although a tour inside will give the familiar feeling of what used to be one's second home, a few interesting things will be discovered.
More lab space needed
According to Dr. Nina Rojas, current chair of the Chemistry Department,
the major structural renovations in the building are part of a ten-year
plan. Its main goal is to create more laboratory space for specialized research.
"I used to do my thesis in the Organic Laboratory room. Since only
a few students used that teaching lab, we could occupy the last few lab
benches near the hood on one side. But now, the teaching labs are packed.
The number of Chem majors has remained steady throughout the years. But
aside from them, there are now MAC, Biology, and Psychology students who
are required to take laboratory courses in Organic and Analytical Chemistry.
At the same time, there is also a need for more lab space dedicated for
specialized undergraduate and graduate research," notes Rojas.
Two general modes are possible for creating more lab space-build new structures
or just reorganize the old one. Several proposals on building new structures
have been made. One is to extend the veranda adjacent to the faculty lounge.
However, this space is small and has to be reinforced from ground up. Another
is to build a fourth floor from the glass blower's room all the way to the
other side. This can be done simultaneously with the renovation of the asbestos
roof. But structural and logistical problems can arise, which prove to be
costly. Structurally, the building's foundation cannot fully support a fourth
floor and has to be reinforced. Logistically, construction on the fourth
floor will displace people and decommission equipment (balances, GC-MS,
and the like) on the third floor. Of course, a new building dedicated to
research is another story.
The other means is to reorganize the building to maximize use of space,
with few major renovations. One is to convert faculty offices to research
laboratories. The Natural Products Lab (CH 203) used to be Dr. Anna Javellana's
office, the Organic Synthesis Lab (CH202 ) was Dr. Chua's and the Biochem
Lab (CH304) was previously occupied by Dr. Noreen Gonzales. Pending are
the conversions of CH206 to a Sample Prep Room for Analytical experiments
and CH306 (room designated for Graduate Students, Teaching Assistants and
Research Assistants) to another specialized lab housing the Biosafety Cabinet
and several equipment.
However, conversion of faculty rooms to lab space poses another concern.
In the 1980s, there were only about eight full-time faculty. This increased
to 15 in the 90s and currently, there are about 25 full-time and part-time
faculty members in the department. Where will they hold office? To address
this, CH 115, which was once the department's library and currently a tiered
classroom, is being converted to an office. Loss of a classroom will not
be a problem since lecture classes on other buildings are possible. The
proposed office will have two floors. The first floor will house the faculty
library, computer stations, lockers and pigeonholes, and consultation areas.
Four rooms, which can contain at least two faculty members each will be
available. The second floor will be open space with about a dozen desks,
two windows and a fire exit. Overall, the office can accommodate at least
20 faculty members. Renovation of CH115 is underway and is due mid-semester
of this school year.
40 years old and counting…
Next school year, additional anticipated makeover projects include replacement of the asbestos roof and the repainting of the walls. Overall, the building was able to support and withstand its major makeovers confirming that it was well-built. "All the renovations have to keep up with the standards set by the construction of the building 40 years ago. Schmitt Hall is sturdy. It's our second home and we love it," Dr. Rojas states. With recent renovations in response to changing times, Schmitt Hall remains so for the succeeding generations of chemistry majors-a building well-loved, a sanctuary, a home away from home.
Next on the list is the Stock Room, which was refurbished last summer. According to Rojas, the main purpose for its renovation is safety. The office of the lab technicians must be separated from the chemicals. Furthermore, the wooden countertops and shelves were already rotting. "Only the materials were changed. The renovation was built on the room's original design, which was very functional. The contractors were actually impressed by the Stock Room's layout," says Dr. Rojas. The countertops were coated with epoxy resin making them resistant to corrosion.
Restrooms
Lolita Lagurin, currently a Ph.D. in Chemistry candidate, remembers something
funny when she first came to the department for her Masteral studies during
the early 90's. It happened in the Ladies Restroom at the second floor.
"I went in and saw a men's urinal. I was puzzled. I had to go out
the room and check the sign again. It said, 'Ladies'. Well, I just had
to accept that the Ladies Restroom had a men's urinal," Lagurin recounts.
In 1998, the urinal was removed. However, other problems have arisen,
not only in the Ladies Restroom but with the rest of the restrooms in
the building. There were leaks, the water pressure was weak, and there
was always the sound of something being regurgitated in the pipes after
flushing. Furthermore, repairs were difficult since the replacements for
the fixtures were already obsolete.
The lab technicians' office is see-through, airconditioned and enclosed. Aside from safety, the office was also built for security. "Now, the lab technicians can have a computer for stockroom inventory and the tools, lab manuals, and documents can be kept inside," states Ed Chainani, Assistant Instructor at the department.
It is also a great relief for the lab technicians. Manuel Rodriguez (Mang Awel), the department's head lab technician comments, "Dati dyan lang kami sa labas, nakalantad ang mga gamit, naaamoy ang mga chemicals. Ngayon nandito na kami sa loob ng office. Medyo sumikip nga lang ang Stock Room, pero kasya pa rin naman lahat."
According to Dr. Rojas, the Stock Room renovation is the prototype for the renovation of the other laboratories. Furthermore, since only the materials in the Stock Room were replaced, the extra budget left was used to buy a table counter for Mrs. Mila Andaya (Ate Mila), the department's secretary. She quips, "nakakainis dati kasi exposed. Minsan, kinakalkal 'yung nakatambak sa table ko. At least ngayon, more secure. At my cabinets na where I can organize and keep my files."
The faculty restroom at the first floor, which used to be unisex like in Ally McBeal, is now divided into male and female. The one in the faculty lounge was also refurbished, with a frosted glass divider separating the toilet bowl and the shower area.
