Stevens Hall has long been plagued by mold, water damage, outdated heating and cooling equipment, and other health and safety issues. For more than a decade, NIU has sought state funding to renovate this 48-year-old building. In 2007, the School of Theatre and Dance and the Department of Anthropology, which are both housed in Stevens Hall, along with the Office of External Affairs and Economic Development, asked Media Services to produce a video to raise awareness of these critical issues. Through startling images and candid interviews with faculty and students who work in these unfortunate conditions, the video has effectively brought the need for extensive Stevens Hall renovations to the attention of state legislators.
"Media Services came through with quick response and great service," said Kenneth Zehnder, Associate Director of the Office of External Affairs and Economic Development. "Their video told the important story of a building in desperate need of repair. The Stevens Hall renovation is now on the Governor's list of recommended projects, and the video will continue to be a vital tool as we take our message to the legislature," said Zehnder.