You read it here, folks: http://www.myjournalcourier.com/news...s-nursing.html

Space and costs are prompting MacMurray College to close its Norris Educational Building, a former hospital facility that has been used for the college's nursing program.

The program will move to Springer Center when Norris is closed, which school officials said will be by the end of the year.

Springer Center will provide more space for the nursing program, according to the school.

“The nursing program is consistently the largest major on campus, averaging more than 100 students each year. The move to the Springer Center will provide the program with ample space for its current size and for potential growth,” said David Fitz, dean of the College and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Because of Norris' age and its design, it costs more to keep the building maintained. MacMurray College Chief Financial Officer David McConnell said a recent inspection would require "significant construction," including a new roof. The college has deferred investment in the building in anticipation of closing it.

The age of the building resulted in 11 percent of the college's energy expenses coming from Norris, the school said.

The move will result in other financial advantages and gives more space to a growing program at MacMurray.

The Norris Educational Building is in an area originally part of Our Saviour's Hospital, which was founded in 1896. The building was constructed in the 1950s and became the Frank A. Norris Unit of Passavant Area Hospital in 1968 and was the site of the hospital’s nursing school. Passavant ended its nursing school in 1982 with the opening of MacMurray College’s program. MacMurray bought the building in 1983.