The commute to study has gotten longer for many student-athletes who use the tutoring resources offered in the Gerdin Athletics Learning Center.

The Gerdin Center, which opened in 2003, has been shut down for renovations since July after donations made the project possible. Because the renovations are being financed by outside sources, there is no cost to the university, said Elizabeth Tovar, the associate athletics director for academic services.

The academic services offered in Gerdin have been moved to the Jacobson Football Operations Building until the Gerdin project is completed.

The renovations will add new study spaces, including collaborative study areas, and a café on the first floor. The additions also include finishing the third floor, which has been an empty space since the building opened.

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Tovar said the renovations will update the building in ways that will make it easier for student-athletes to study.

“Technology has changed drastically since the building was built,” she said.

Luke Farley, a UI junior on the baseball team, said he looks forward to the renovations being completed.

“It was nice before, but it will be even nicer once the updates are finished,” he said.

He said he thinks the added collaborative spaces will prove to be the best addition, saying getting rid of some of the cubicles that previously filled the study spaces will provide a more relaxed atmosphere.

Farley, who uses the tutoring resources offered through Gerdin, said the resource has been helpful.

“The tutors they provide us are definitely beneficial,” he said.

He said that the renovations have posed a slight inconvenience to his studying needs.

“It’s a little different than it’s been in the past,” Farley said.

Previously, there was a requirement for student-athletes to log study hours at Gerdin, but Jacobson is much farther from campus. Because of this inconvenience, many sports have stopped the requirement for their athletes to log a certain number of study hours per week.

Erin Castle of the women’s gymnastics team said she prefers being able to study on her own time rather than at specific times in the Gerdin center.

“Studying on an individual basis is better,” she said. “Not everyone has the same learning styles.”

Castle, who is tutored every week in chemistry, said having a tutor has significantly helped her performance in the class.

“It helps to have the repetition and the guidance of someone who has been successful in the course,” she said.

She said it is expected of student-athletes to get help as needed, even though tutoring is no longer required.

“We are expected to take the steps to be as successful as possible by the coaches,” Castle said.