BUSINESS OFFICE MOVING, HUB CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY

Construction and other renovations have begun on campus as part of the four-phased project that will feature the new student HUB.

Significant changes have been made before the start of actual construction of the HUB. The departments and offices formerly based inside Room 50 (the basement level of the Student Union) – TRIO, Transitions/Transiciones, Oregon Leadership Institute and others – were relocated into better-known, more visible areas of the campus.

John Hamblin, executive dean of student development for MHCC, said, “We pulled them out of the basement and got them in places easier to find. We’re going to show them off in their new spaces.”

Hamblin, who often leads HUB project update meetings, has recently signed and confirmed the construction timeline of the HUB with Grow Construction.

Already, construction has initiated in Room 50 to create a new, permanent home for Mt. Hood’s business office staff.

In a couple of weeks, the business office, and Financial Aid and Enrollment Services personnel, will be moved to the area, while construction on the new HUB – where they currently operate – begins.

Any paperwork, forms, and bills that need to be turned in should be submitted to where the Student Union front desk is at now.

The business office will permanently stay in Room 50; the other departments will return to the finished HUB.

Signs and emails will go out to students so they are aware of the changes, Hamblin said. While offices are relocating, some of them may need to close for a small amount of time. He said they hope to minimize difficulties for students and staff during the transition. 

Communications will be emphasized. Emails have already gone to students, college staff, and faculty. Hamblin plans to send updates to students every two weeks, and hopes to start a social media campaign as soon as construction for the HUB starts.

There will be an opportunity for students to be involved in a timeline video of the HUB; more information on that will be sent to students. 

Why create the HUB?

After Mt. Hood received a Title III grant from the U.S. Department of Education – intended to assist non-traditional college students and increase student success and graduation rates – the school looked for ways on improving the campus and using the grant efficiently. Administrators found that a common issue on campus was students having to bounce from office to office to receive assistance with enrollment, financial aid and other aid needed.

While finding ways to resolve such a big issue, the Title III team decided on creating the HUB. An important startup for the HUB was creating a better support system for students. “If you don’t have the support from the school, it’s 10 times harder to actually finish school,” Hamblin said.

The new HUB will bring together Student Services offices, including Advising; the college’s Orientation Center; Financial Aid; Accessible Education Services; Admission, Records, and Registration.

Hamblin said that creating a space like this is important for the success of a student. “I think it takes a lot of courage for someone to actually come to school, and we have that responsibility to bring them in, make them feel welcomed and show them we are here for them,” he said. 

The north HUB space (where Financial Aid is now) will undergo heavy construction beginning in June, while the main HUB area (Orientation Center) will begin in July.

The south HUB space (Academic Advising and Transfer Center, Accessible Educational Services, and Admissions, Registration, and Records) is scheduled to be completed towards the end of Summer Term. 

There will be a HUB kickoff on Tuesday, May 21 at 9:30 a.m. at Student Services. District Board members, Foundation Board members, President’s Council, students, and student services staff will be involved in a golden hammer ceremony to celebrate.

Advocate Staff