Brick and glass campus building with a curved walkway and atrium

Westgate Summer Renovations

Overview of third-floor updates (May - August 2026)

On this Page
Overview
Impacted Spaces
Project Map and Designs
Timeline
FAQs
Project History
Ask a Question

Watch for Updates

A construction project evolves as plans are refined, schedules shift, and new constraints emerge, so details will inevitably change over time. Check this page regularly to stay current with the latest updates and instructions.

*This page was last updated July 2, 2026.

Project Overview

During late spring and summer 2026, the Westgate's third floor will be renovated to support the college’s growth and research initiatives. Select research labs adjacent to the third-floor hallways will be converted into faculty offices. Interior lab spaces will also be updated to better accommodate graduate students.

During this renovation, faculty and graduate students may choose to work from home to reduce disruption from construction impacts. Those who prefer to work on campus will be temporarily relocated to another location in the building that can provide the necessary network connectivity and research space. Review the information below about cleaning out your lab and the Who, What, Where section for moving information.

All spaces are expected to be completed by the start of the fall 2026 semester. For more information on how the college allocates work space, review IST policy AD-01.

Labs reassignments will be under review mid-May - mid June. More information to come.

Ask a Question

If you have a question about this project, submit it using the form below or by emailing Carleen Maitland and Hannah Mitrakos.

Submit Your Question

Impacted Spaces

These Hallway Labs will be converted to faculty offices.

Hallway Labs moves are complete.

E311 (Dana Calacci, Jack Carroll, Sharon Huang, Shomir Wilson)

E320 (Jon Dodge, Nick Giacobe)

E356 (Saeed Abdullah, Lu Lin)

E370 (Saeed Abdullah, Hadi Hosseini, Aron Laszka, Romit Maulik)

Graduate students and faculty access to assigned summer lab is 24/7

______________________________________

These Interior Labs will be upgraded and remain labs.

Interior Lab moves are complete.

E364 (Johnson Kinyua, Kaamran Raahemifar, Frank Ritter)

E365 (Frank Ritter)

E338 (Hong Hu, Qingyun Wu, Xiang Zhang)

E393 (Jinghui Chen, Kenneth Huang, Romit Maulik)

E338 (Hong Hu, Qingyun Wu, Xiang Zhang)

E342 (Xinning Gui, Yubo Kuo, Aiping Xiong)

E343 (Hong Hu, Jinyuan Jia, Aron Laszka, Justin Silverman, Amulya Yadav)

E345 (James Wang)

E348 (Fenglong Ma, Suhang Wang, Shomir Wilson)

E362 (Dhan Singh, Dinghao Wu)

E364 (Johnson Kinyua, Kaamran Raahemifar, Frank Ritter)

E394 (Syed Billah, Taegyu Kim, Sarah Rajtmajer, Tanusree Sharma, Anna Squicciarini)

Graduate students and faculty access to assigned summer lab is 24/7

Project Map and Designs

Lab-specific layouts are still being determined and will be shared as they are confirmed. View the sample lab layout below for an example of how these spaces could look.

View a Sample Lab Layout View Lab Reassignments

Map of offices and labs impacted by Westgate renovations

Lab Designs

Renovated labs will feature an blue accent wall and graphics that feature one of four Penn State brand colors (Creek, Pugh Blue, PA Sky, or Future's Calling). These elements bring visual interest to the spaces and complement the new furniture, while leaving room for monitors, white boards, and other functional wall decor. Review the map above to see which labs will receive which graphics.

Project Timeline

Labs becoming faculty offices (E311, E320, E356, E370)

4/27-5/1

Faculty and students empty labs of personal items.

5/4-5/8

OPP and IT remove all equipment and furniture from labs. Students needing workspace for summer will use E213 or E339.

5/11-7/31

Construction period.

8/3-8/21

New furniture installed.

8/24

New offices will be opened for occupancy.

Classroom E202 and Offices E306, E351, and E375

5/12

OPP and IT remove all equipment and furniture.

5/12-7/31

Construction for one level floor, new carpet and lighting, as well as wall decals, new technology and additional whiteboards.

8/3-8/21

New tables installed and IT reinstalls equipment.

Labs receiving upgrades (E338, E342, E343, E345, E348, E362, E364, E365, E393, E394)

5/19-5/22

OPP and IT remove all equipment and furniture.

6/1

Available for carpet cleaning and installation of something to make them more welcoming.

8/3-8/21

New furniture installed and IT reinstalls equipment.

Classrooms E165, E203, and E208

5/26-5/29

OPP and IT remove all equipment and furniture.

5/25-7/31

Available for new carpet and lighting, as well as wall decals, new technology and additional whiteboards.

8/3-8/21

New tables installed and IT reinstalls equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Preparing for Your Move

: For Hallway Labs being converted to offices, personal items must be removed by May 3. Faculty and students in interior labs must remove personal items by May 10 to avoid disruptions during qualifying exams.
: Faculty and students will be notified via email roughly one week before their move date.
: Anything that was not purchased by the college or on a research grant should be removed.

For labs E311, E320, E356, and E370, remove refrigerators, microwaves, books, posters, mugs, decor, and other personal items.

Personal items left in labs on moving day will be discarded.

Technology and Equipment

No, the college's IT office will move your work station. Faculty and students are being asked to write their name on blue painter's tape in Sharpie (provided in each space) and tape them onto individual items to indicate whether the equipment will be moved to E339 Westgate, storage, or salvage.

Label each item, including monitor, computer, mouse, keyboard, etc., in the lab using a sharpie and a piece of blue painter's tape (provided in each space):

“Discard”
“Move to E339” (include student and faculty name)
“Storage” (include faculty and student name)

If a faculty member wants to keep a machine that is currently unassigned, label it as "Storage."

Unlabeled items will be assumed to be ‘discard.’

No. IT will test equipment using their own logins to confirm everything is functioning.

No. Please wait until IT has placed and connected equipment before arranging personal items.

There is a form and process to do that. Faculty and the student both need to sign off on this request.

Penn State storage has guaranteed adequate and climate control space for storage.

General Questions

: We ask that advisers and faculty coordinate moving personal items, which may include outreach to colleagues and students. We encourage taking photos of specific items to avoid miscommunication and lost items. If there are extenuating circumstances, please contact Carleen Maitland.
: No. Students may remain in interior labs through the exam period (May 11–19). IT will schedule moves around exam needs.
: Email Hannah Mitrakos and Carleen Maitland, who can put you in touch with your lab space partners.
: Yes, E339 is not being used for final exams so graduate students can access the room during finals week.
: Attend office hours to discuss your situation. If a more private conversation is needed, email Carleen Maitland and Hannah Mitrakos to request a private conversation via Zoom.

Project History

May 18: All hallway and interior labs have been cleared for rennovation.
May 4: IT move all tech from hallway labs to temporary lab space.
April 24: Facilities placed trash bins in hallways
April 17: First of weekly renovation update emails sent on behalf of Associate Dean for Research.
March 27: Facilities delivered blue painters tape and black sharpies to each lab as well as high "do not forget" flyers.
March 23: Facilities placed paper disposal bins in hallways
March 20: Dean Tapia emailed Westgate Renovations and Updated Space Allocation Guidelines
March 16: Launched project website
March 9-13: Faculty and Student affected in move received emails with lab details and survey.
March 5: Dean Tapia discusses renovations and move at college faculty meeting.
March 5: 1st Renovation Office Hour held by the Associate Dean for Research.
March 4: Moving walkthrough of E311, E320, E356 and E370 with Facilities, IT, and Associate Dean for Research.
February 26: Associate Dean Maitland emailed faculty and students in labs E311, E320, E356 and E370 about removing personal items and the availability of E339 and E215 for qualifying exams.
February 26: Faculty and Staff Townhall held to discuss concerns about the move.
February 2: Dean Tapia notified faculty, graduate students, and staff of upcoming renovations, moves, and expected summer noise on the 3rd floor.

Westgate Summer Renovations

Watch for Updates

Project Overview

Ask a Question

Impacted Spaces

Project Map and Designs

Lab Designs

Project Timeline

4/27-5/1

5/4-5/8

5/11-7/31

8/3-8/21

8/24

5/12

5/12-7/31

8/3-8/21

5/19-5/22

6/1

8/3-8/21

5/26-5/29

5/25-7/31

8/3-8/21

Frequently Asked Questions

Preparing for Your Move

Technology and Equipment

General Questions

Project History

Ask Your Question

Westgate Renovations

Legal Statements