The new health center is almost three times larger than itspredecessor, the 80-year-old Ritenour Building. The projectreceived final approval by trustees in November 2006. The newcenter sits 300 yards from the Ritenour Building and is centrallylocated between student residence halls, sports facilities and theacademic campus. Unlike many health-related buildings, the studenthealth center is designed to draw people in and features an artgallery to showcase campus works and a lounge. The building willhouse all medical services as well as the Center for Counseling andPsychological Services and the Health and Wellness Department,which offers peer counseling and programs on forming good habitsand avoiding substance abuse.

[IMGCAP(2)]"Campus health services are now more than just goingto the doctor when you're sick," says Colin Mosher, an associateprincipal with RMJM Hillier. "It's now about wellness, educationand being part of a shared campus experience."

The building boasts 60 state-of-the-art exam rooms, an ambulancebay and radiology and laboratory functions, which were previouslyhoused in other buildings on campus. In addition, the Center hasmany green features, including a green roof to absorb water runoffand reduce heating and cooling costs, a glass curtain wall tomaximize the amount of daylight entering the building, low-emittingmaterials and low-flow fixtures and landscaping that requires noirrigation. Hillier plan to pursue LEED silver certification forthe building.