When Columbia International University relocated from downtown Columbia to its current campus at 7435 Monticello Road in 1959, the Fisher Classroom Building was among the first to adorn the property. Over the almost 60 years since, other buildings have been added and Fisher has had its periodic updates, but no update compares with the renovation it’s experiencing this summer.

“April was a bit of a scramble, but a good scramble,” noted Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Bryan Beyer. “Faculty had courses to finish and grading to complete, but they were also packing up their offices so they could vacate as soon as the semester ended. Some students even offered to help pitch in and pack up!”

CIU’s commencement services were held Saturday, April 28, and Monday morning April 30, crews arrived to begin removing furniture, desks, and boxes from the building. Some faculty have relocated to other areas of campus for the summer, while others chose to work primarily from home. The goal, of course, is to have the renovations complete and the Fisher faculty and staff back in place by the time students arrive back on campus in mid-August.

The “new Fisher” will feature upgrades in classroom technology capabilities, an elevator, expanded faculty offices, a new HVAC system, and more. Those who spend most of their time in the building are excitedly anticipating moving back into the finished product in less than three months.

CIU has announced $25 million in expansion plans for the campus, including construction of the $20 million William H. Jones Global Business and IT Center. Information on CIU programs and enrollment is available here or call (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024. CIU is accredited by SACS-COC.