Learning Spaces

Meeting of February 21, 2002

Project updates:

The hallway lighting project is completed except for the third floor of Fellows Hall where the clearances in the ceiling don't allow for the installation of the indirect lighting fixture we have selected. Physical Plant and the contractor are locating an alternative fixture to install on Fellows third floor.
The Smith and East residence halls now have renovated study lounges. Within the first week of classes, all the new endtables were stolen out of the Smith study lounge. A student research project continues on the importance of participatory planning in the redesign of these spaces.
The possibility of renovating the Knapp Amphitheatre was discussed. The committee suggested that the University consider the needs for a different design of this space rather than a one-to-one renovation of the space as it is configured now. [Subsequently, the renovation effort was postponed until summer 2003 to allow for consideration of alternative plans].

Department/Area reports

Faculty members on the committee have completed a series of meetings with many departments on campus to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of current learning spaces. The committee has reports on Knapp Hall, Fellows Hall, Barney-Davis Hall, the natural sciences and the fine arts. These reports are available by contacting Scott Siddall.
The committee discussed the fine arts areas in particular. While new electrical service has been extended to this part of the campus, more work remains. The committee asked how they might work in this area in light of major building deficiencies or renovations. The committee asked chair Scott Siddall to gather more information on the possibilities both for major building renovations as well as smaller projects funded by Learning Spaces. Depending on the outcome of these findings, Scott is to organize a meeting with the chairpersons of fine arts departments to discuss needs and priorities.

New projects

Scott Siddall and Larry Murdock brought to the meeting new information about the number and types of classroom seating in Knapp and Fellows Halls. The committee decided to focus on all seating in one entire building (to minimize "wandering" chairs in a mixed environment). Knapp Hall was selected as the focal point. There are 512 tablet arm chairs and 48 older computer chairs in Knapp. Students Jason Shuba and Danielle Vagnone volunteered to evaluate sample seating.
The committee discussed the Learning Spaces budget for 2001-02 and 2002-03. We concluded that we would replace the chairs in Knapp Hall (pending cost estimates) then devoted attention to projects in the fine arts area, the priority for which will be discussed with the fine arts chairs (see above).

Communication

In order to increase two-way communication with the campus about the Learning Spaces Project, the faculty members on the committee will each assume a liaison role with departments in their respective areas: Rob Gander (fine arts), Matt Kretchmar (natural science), Donya Samara (humanities and ENVS), Nestor Matthews and Paul Djupe (the departments in Knapp).