Drilling and banging echoed from the University of MinnesotaâÄôs Lind Hall last week as renovations to its first floor commenced.

The building is home to the College of Science and Engineering Career Center and Academic Advising, whose offices were scattered throughout the building. But after the $6.6

million renovation, theyâÄôll be joined into one center.

âÄúCSE is located in the heart of campus,âÄù said CSE Associate Dean for undergraduate programs Paul Strykowski. âÄúThis creates a place just dedicated to our students.âÄù

The remodeling is scheduled to be completed by January.

Funding for the project came solely from the private donations of alumni and from large companies like 3M and Boston Scientific.

CSE launched its fundraising campaign in 2008 but struggled to raise money the first year because of the economic downturn, said Susan Kubitschek, director of student programs for CSE.

So far, more than half of the $6.6 million needed for the project has been raised, and Kubitschek said meeting the halfway point was the green light to start construction.

The remodeled area will include space for student organizations, including new conference rooms, Strykowski said. He also hopes to attract high school students to come to the University with the space, he said.

With plasma screens donated by 3M, current and prospective students will be informed of meetings, deadlines and other information from CSE.

Having all of the student groups in one place gives them the opportunity to collaborate, Strykowski said.

Jessica Malone, a member of the CSE Science and Engineering Student Board, said she hopes the renovations will draw more students into the space.

The building is very old but âÄúthe updated technology will be a better representation of CSE,âÄù she said.

After construction, the area will be more open with glass walls to create more âÄúenergy and community,âÄù Strykowski said.

No classrooms were located on the first floor so the renovations will not affect fall courses.

Heavy noise construction will be limited to after hours to avoid issues once fall classes begin,

Strykowski said. But the renovation called for the removal of all offices on the first floor. CSE Student Services temporarily moved to Shepherd Laboratories next to Akerman Hall.

The Institute for Mathematics and its Applications temporarily moved from the first floor of Lind to the fourth and will eventually make the third floor its permanent home.

âÄúItâÄôs disruptive, but weâÄôll be fine,âÄù IMA office supervisor Eve Marofsky said.