URBANA — Over the summer Uni facilities underwent a few big changes, including a new place to rest, a new place to learn, and a new reason to feel safer when you enter the school's doors. By now students have become familiar with the changes, but here's a recap for members of the OG audience who don't spend eight hours a day inside Uni.

Rest for body, rest for brain

A view of the spruced-up student lounge. Gargoyle photos by Will Fernandez (click to enlarge)

The new faculty lounge can be found in Room 110.

Bulletproof sheets on classroom doors provide extra protection and obscure the vision of anyone trying to look inside.

New locks and door handles allow rooms to be locked from the inside.

Intercom speakers like this provide a new means of communication in case of emergencies.

Out of cash? As long as you have the appropriate card, you're in luck at the vending machines.

The student and teacher lounges received Uni's version of "Extreme Makeover" thanks to Uni parents Taya Ross and Pat Fernandez.

The student lounge, which previously was filled with hand-me-down couches and chairs, populated with the crushed remnants of snacks past between the cushions, has been cleaned up and spiffed up with new furniture, including a brand new leather sectional couch, plush pillows, and two adjustable futon lounging mattresses.

The initial student response was positive but with a few qualifications. "I really appreciate the wonderful new furniture and the open space, but there's still not enough sitting space," said junior Katy Metcalf, voicing a common concern.

After listening to student reactions, parents who helped pull together the new decor have arranged for additional seating in the lounge. Among the changes: padding for the lounge's bench and another new futon.

Wait … teachers on couches?

The new faculty lounge has been a big hit with the faculty.

"It's a blessing to have this space where we as teachers can work and interact freely," said English teacher Adele Suslick. "And what makes it that much better is that it was given to us by the generosity of the Uni parents and people who care about teachers and their needs."

Located in Room 110, the former Latin classroom, the new digs provide teachers with a larger place in which to congregate, relax, socialize, and work than the former lounge on the second floor.

Last year the lounge was condensed into closet-sized offices after being moved from what is now the Counseling Resource Center room.

Bulletproof knowledge

As a sign of the post-Columbine/Virginia Tech era, Uni has put up bulletproof sheets on every door. The sheets are made out of reinforced plastic and are bullet resistant so everyone can feel safe if a code red occurs.

"The regular reinforced glass we had was not the best, and some of them have broken over the years, so along with the obvious safety it also limits the vision of anyone trying to look inside and find someone," said Assistant Director Sue Kovacs.

Interior locks were also installed in each room, allowing the rooms to be locked quickly and safely from inside in the event of an emergency.

Let there be air

Up in the North and South attics, students and teachers can now enjoy class in a cooler environment thanks to the addition of air conditioning.

Even though the final system is not yet complete, the effort is much appreciated. The administration is working hard to get the full central system installed.

Novus cella or nuevo salas de clase

Two rooms previously used for meeting places and offices, 309 and 312, have been converted into classrooms for Spanish and Latin, respectively.

Both languages have been vagabonds of sorts in recent years, changing classrooms nearly annually.

"When you walk by or come into the room you know what is being taught now," said Spanish teacher Jenna Finch. "Spanish is now all around [the classroom], and instead of looking around a boring room you can now see pictures and maps from Venezuela, Mexico, and Puerto Rico."

Can you hear me now?

On the first day of school Uni students heard an unusual sound — an announcement to go to the opening assembly over a newly installed intercom system.

The system is a safety feature that will be used to communicate in the case of any emergencies, not for daily announcements.

So students need not fear hearing their names over the system asking them to come to the office for spilling their rubber cement all over the floor.

Get your cards ready

According to some students, the award for the oddest change goes to the food vending machines on the north side of the building.

Along with the regular coin and dollar slots, students now have a credit card slot to purchase candy, gum, chips, and pretzels with a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express card.

"Even though it might be helpful for the two or three people who actually have credit cards, to the rest of us this is a stupid addition and utterly pointless," junior Albert Anastasio said.

Note: This article was put briefly online Sept. 18, then it was removed so that further editing could be done. The comment below from Greg Smith was posted when this article was first online. The room number given for the faculty lounge has been corrected as per Mr. Smith's comment, and we have added a mention of the inside locks.