Welcome to Meredith’s 2023-24 Academic Year

Meredith College’s first day of classes for the Fall 2023 semester was August 23. As the new academic year begins, we wanted to share some accessibility improvements, facility upgrades, and other enhancements that were completed this summer.

Accessibility Improvements

Elevator and Sidewalk Upgrades

The Harris Hall elevator modernization has been completed. This elevator now is monitored by a 24/7 central monitoring agency when the help button is pressed. It also has a camera inside so the monitoring station can visually inspect the cab when the help button is pressed. This enhancement helps users with hearing impairments who would not be able to hear the monitoring center talking to them through the speaker system. The Harris Elevator is Meredith’s third elevator to have this feature, with the others being the Brewer and Library elevators.

A new sidewalk has also been added near Jones Auditorium and Main Campus Drive to make these areas more accessible. These sidewalk improvements are in addition to those made in the spring near the CHESS building and Weatherspoon Gymnasium.

Following an SGA campus walkabout last semester with Facilities, Campus Police, and College Programs, updates have been made to improve lighting on campus. The College is in the process of upgrading exterior lighting to LED on our buildings and bushes have been removed in areas that were dimly lit.

ADA Bathroom in Lux

Renovations to the first floor women’s restroom in Lux will make this restroom fully accessible. The work took approximately four weeks and was completed by the end of August. 

MC Alert Opt-In for Accessibility Barriers

To improve communication about campus accessibility, the College is expanding the use of MC Alert, our Emergency Notification System, to send text and voice messages to subscribers during business hours about known accessibility barriers. 

Students are invited to sign up now to ensure they receive these alerts. Users can opt-in to the accessibility notifications at the time they sign up for MC Alert or they can add this new list if they have already registered in the past.

Students should go to https://mcis.meredith.edu to register for MC Alert or opt-in for the accessibility alerts.

Facilities Upgrades

Residence Hall Improvements

One area of focus this summer was residence hall improvements. Thanks to the generosity of donors, all the residence halls have new carpet on each of the corridor floors and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) in all kitchens, entryways, and parlor rooms. New smart TVs were added to each parlor, and LED upgrade lighting is being installed on each stairwell and hallway floor.

Jones Auditorium
Donor-funded renovations to Jones Auditorium, including painting in the lobby, auditorium, and back hallway, began in mid-July. As part of the first phase of the renovation, new carpet was installed in the lobby and auditorium. Auditorium seating was also replaced. The dressing rooms are being repainted, and new lighting, countertops, and electrical outlets are being installed.

Other Updates

Undergraduate and Graduate Student CamCard Approved as Voter ID

North Carolina has a new voter ID requirement that will be in effect during the next election. Meredith College was proactive in submitting CamCards for consideration for this new requirement, and student CamCards have been approved by the State Board of Elections as a valid identification for eligible voters. As always, Meredith is proud of students’ voting commitment.