Learning Spaces
Meeting of March 5, 2001
Scott Siddall reported on travel to Babson and Bentley Colleges (accompanied by David Anderson and Art Chonko as part of the Graham Gund Associates review of technology designs for the Burton D. Morgan Center). Annotated images of many of the classrooms are posted.
Plans to renovate Fellows 305 and Knapp 308 were postponed until early this summer. While nearly all of the arrangements were in place for a Spring Break renovation effort, including fall back plans in case of delays, it was clear that we were not likely to receive all the furniture that would be needed to complete these model classrooms. Scott Siddall will follow up later in the semester. Larry Murdock suggested that Fellows 321/322 be recombined by removing the wall that was constructed some years ago to separate these two rooms which now see little use because of their odd shape and size.
The status of the Cinema department's "annex" (adjacent house) was discussed. Because major renovations (such as a fine arts center) are several years off, and because Cinema has 60+ majors each year, it was deemed appropriate that learning spaces funds be applied here to alleviate some of the inadequacies of these learning spaces, details of which should be left to the department.
Jessen Havill brought up reports he had received about the inadequacies of study lounges and other potential learning spaces in the residence halls. The committee did not feel that hand-me-down furniture for study lounges was a good use of resources, and that higher quality appointments are appropriate for these important learning spaces. In some cases, adding tables and better lighting would do much to improve the utility of the spaces for students. Siddall will see that representatives of Student Affairs are invited to the next Learning Spaces Project committee meeting.