It’s difficult to imagine a room stacked wall-to-wall with chairs and tables as a living room.

But that’s exactly the image that comes to mind when Jodi Devine, associated director of the honors program, walks into the abandoned Arts Village a learning community exclusively for art students.

The room, which previously served as the workspace for the Arts Village students, now belongs to Devine and the Honors Program, who have big plans for it.

The Honors Program wants to renovate the large room, which will include all of the program’s administrative offices, as well as space for students to study or socialize.

In addition, there will be a fully equipped classroom and a conference room located just a textbook’s throw away.

Construction is scheduled to start in about a month, and Devine is anxious to see the finished product.

‘When it’s done we want it to be nice and comfy, like a living room,’ she said.

The new Honors Center is scheduled to be completed before the start of the upcoming spring semester.

For now, the Honors Program offices that were formally in Kreischer-Darrow will remain in Harshman-Dunbar.

The move, which took place over the summer, was described by Devine as ‘very smooth.’

The benefits of living in Dunbar have become apparent to the honor students in a short time.

‘It’s really nice to be in the same building as the office,’ said Anna Glett, Honors Students Association president.

Devine shares this sentiment, believing it to be perhaps the greatest advantage of the program’s new location.

The move allows residents of Dunbar easy access to directors, who are all together in the same building.

But some students were unwilling or apprehensive to move.

Devine attributes this to the quality of the program’s previous residence.

‘There wouldn’t have been any resistance by the students if they hadn’t really liked living in Darrow,’ Devine said.

Though the majority of honor students migrated to Dunbar, they’ll miss certain aspects of Darrow.

‘The only big drawback is that we lost the Sun Dial,’ said Honor Students Association secretary Jaime Hannan. ‘But there’s always food for us here in the new office.’

The Honors Program’s loss is the Arts Village’s gain.

The art community has been relocated to Kreischer-Ashley, which neighbors the Sun Dial.

The Arts Village Center is also currently under construction, but will contain several large art tables, plenty of computers, and even a big-screen television upon completion.

And just like the Honors Program, the Arts Village will have its offices in the same building.

‘I definitely like the fact that the director’s office is in the Art Village,’ said Mike Hornyak, sophomore and returning member of the program.

Though the Arts Village is now located near the cafeteria in Kreischer, they have less space to work.

‘It’s smaller (than the old Arts Village Center), it’s in the basement, and it’s only half carpeted,’ Hornyak said.

Stuck in the basement without a view, Homyak along with other students are willing to make that sacrifice.

‘I moved with the program because I really enjoy the experience, plus the people are incredibly nice, and it’s great to live in such a supportive environment,’ he said.

Devine echoes Hornyak agreeing that a few drawbacks are worth it.

‘I’m so glad to be here in this environment,’ she said.

But the environment is scheduled to change again as soon as late 2006.

Devine confirmed the Honors Program is planning on renovating and moving into Rodgers, a move sure to be much larger both in scale and in expense.

‘It’s part of the master plan for the University to relocate to Rodgers,’ she said.

But for now Devine is concentrating only on the completed renovation of the new Honors Program Center.

She anticipates that the noise and commotion will not disturb the students living in Harshman.

‘After all, it’s not like we’re drilling for oil here,’ Devine said.