Baxley Hall becomes a one-stop shop for students
By Brooklyn Zimmerman
Bill Baxley Hall has been evolving through the years and is quickly becoming the one-stop building for student services.
Formerly the home of the bookstore, the first floor of what used to be named University Hall has been completely renovated to house the offices of admissions and student accounts. The building is located at the corner of Chanticleer Drive and University Boulevard.
Renovations are underway on the second floor, which will be shared by the offices of financial aid and the registrar. The portion of the second floor that will house the financial aid office is under construction, but the section assigned to the registrar’s office has not yet been scheduled for renovation. Until then, the registrar’s office will remain in Singleton 116.
“All of these departments are being housed in Baxley Hall to provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for students, whereas previously the students had to travel to several different buildings to have their needs met by these departments,” said Sandy Williams, director of facilities planning and management. “Student convenience was the primary goal, but the new interior finishes also provide a welcoming look for students who are new to our campus.”
For prospective students and their families, campus tours are a major deciding factor in the college application process. Campus tours originate at the Welcome Center in Baxley Hall, which means that Baxley Hall is the first building that students visit on campus.
“Putting all these offices together will make it easier and less time-consuming to go to financial aid, student accounts and the registrar’s office,” said CCU student Danielle Werley. “Now, by the time you walk to another building or try to find another parking spot it could take hours.”
“Having key services for students co-located creates a synergy for service. Instead of a student having to block out an entire afternoon to try to get enrollment, financial aid and student account issues taken care of, they can just go to Baxley and get most everything done,” said Debbie Conner, vice president for student affairs.
Relocating these offices has created space for other offices on campus that need more space or easier student access. The ROTC program has moved into Evergreen Hall where student accounts was formerly located. The Coastal Educational Foundation and the CCU Student Housing Foundation moved into Kingston Hall when admissions moved to Baxley Hall. The Office for Philanthropy will also transfer to Kingston Hall when the current second floor renovation is complete and financial aid moves to Baxley Hall.
Baxley Hall previously housed the bookstore and Scholars Academy offices and classrooms.
