MSU playing beat-the-clock with construction projects

STARKVILLE — With students set to begin fall classes in three weeks, Mississippi State University — with the help of five separate contractors — is working to get as much finished as possible before their return.

Officials tell the Commercial Dispatch everything is on schedule.

That includes Oak and Magnolia residence halls, which are still under construction but which officials say will be finished before the students move in Aug. 16. The halls are located on the south end of the Starkville campus.

MSU spokeswoman Maridith Geuder says the complex will house 750 students and resident assistants.

Geuder says each room will come fully furnished with a private bath, refrigerator, microwave, individual room temperature control, wireless Internet access and cable TV.

Renovations on Lee Hall have just gotten under way, with the faculty and staff moving into temporary offices around campus last month.

Geuder said the facility, built in 1909, is being renovated to restore historical detail to the main corridors. Renovations are scheduled to be complete in January 2014.

As for athletic facilities on campus, construction is on schedule for the new indoor football facility being built behind the Palmeiro Center. It should be finished by December.

The 80,000-square-foot facility is being funded through private donations.

Humphrey Coliseum is also getting a million-dollar roof treatment. The project is expected to be finished in the coming months.