April 2006 CAMPUS BUILDINGS UPDATE RENOVATIONS TO THE YATES-GILL COLLEGE UNION CONTINUE Construction continues on a new 15,000-square-foot addition to the Yates-Gill College Union. Recent mild weather enabled the construction crews to work on several areas that transition from the existing building to the addition. Progress is especially apparent in the kitchen area and access leading into the new East Dining Hall. Most of the exterior brick has been laid and windows installed along with finishing touches being applied to the roof. Accelerated interior work, including hanging sheetrock and other interior components is underway. The building façade is now very apparent and is a significant presence among the buildings around the Quad.   The new entryway into the Yates-Gill Union will create an atrium with significant gathering space in the entry, with the addition of meeting space, reception areas and a coffee shop on the second floor overlooking the atrium entry. Completion of the structure is expected by August, with dedication ceremonies anticipated at Opening Convocation on September 13. Link to on-line viewing of the Union renovation: http://www.jewell.edu/william_jewell/gen/william_and_jewell_generated_pages/ Union_Construction_Update_p2177.html Barnes & Noble has been retained as the manager of the campus bookstore, bringing to the William Jewell College community unparalleled expertise in collegiate retailing, exciting merchandise, competitive prices, and a great selection of products, all within the comfortable setting of the campus bookstore. The bookstore will sell school spirit, gift items, school supplies, technical & art supplies, greeting cards and convenience items in addition to textbooks and clothing. Barnes & Noble will also sell a wide selection of clothing and gifts to suit all tastes and budgets on their website. Each item is previewed as a "thumbnail image" for easy identification and shopping. Barnes & Noble will also have a current events section on the website that will highlight happenings in the bookstore. The website is currently under construction with expected implementation sometime this summer. The bookstore's physical space will undergo renovation after the end of the spring semester. One element of the newly renovated Yates-Gill College Union will be a coffee house located on the upper level of the atrium. Roasterie Coffee, a local Kansas City business, will be the coffee provider and has created a signature "Cardinal Blend" that will be the premier coffee offered at the coffee shop. Expanded hours of operation will encourage students and guests to enjoy the coffee shop and the amenities the new Union will provide.