With the sole exception of Wharton classes -- which usually take place in Huntsman Hall and Steinberg-Dietrich Hall -- most classes are taught in classrooms that belong to a "central pool."
The pool is a set of classrooms shared among SAS, SEAS, Design, GSE, Social Work, Nursing and Annenberg classes. One of the biggest effects of the central pool is that students take classes in rooms that have a wide range of technological capabilities and other amenities.
And while some schools like Wharton are solely responsible for their buildings, all departments benefit from central pool renovations.
These renovations, including current projects such as the upgrades to Bennett Hall, ultimately improve the quality of student learning experiences.
Whereas Bennett Hall had one computer projection system in 2004, it will have 27 when it reopens this fall.
"At times we have nice rooms, at times we have terrible rooms. It's a temporary inconvenience," English Professor Jean-Michel Rabate said, commenting on the Bennett Hall renovations.
He is satisfied teaching larger classes in Steitler Hall; however "sometimes I'm teaching in Old Hillel, which is a little run down," Rabate said.
English Professor Bob Perelman also noticed discrepancies in classroom quality.
"Certainly some rooms are better than others; the windowless rooms that are too hot are not fun to teach in," Perelman said.
Both Professors regret that they cannot currently teach in Bennett Hall.
Due to renovations, we "are being scattered around hither and yon," Perelman said. "I'm hoping the new Bennett is a new and improved Bennett."
In addition to Bennett, there are also numerous facilities upgrades taking place throughout campus.
The Nursing Education building, for example, is currently undergoing renovations to classroom lighting and computers, as well as receiving a new cafe and wireless Internet capability. But such renovations do not benefit solely Nursing students.
Adam Sherr, associate director of academic affairs at the School of Nursing, said that more classes in all of the schools are scheduled in the Nursing Education building because "when people teach there, they want to stay."
Other recent central pool projects "have really bought up the quality level," said John MacDermott, the director for instructional technology at SAS Computing.
New audio-visual systems in the David Rittenhouse Laboratory are providing a standard level of functionality, using new audio, VHS and DVD capabilities, according to MacDermott. "We are providing the functionality that people need," even in classrooms that cater to more specific needs.
For instance, the Chemistry Department's "demonstrations integrate the controls for the audio-visual system" with traditional labs, MacDermott said.
In the Nursing Education Building technology lab, students can use simulated models to practice their nursing skills before practicing on a person.
"That's pretty innovative," Sherr commented.
Classrooms in Wharton's Huntsman Hall have the same advanced design and technology as the better central pool classrooms.
Huntsman Hall classrooms consist primarily of 12 flat-floor and 28 tiered-floor classrooms. Steinberg-Dietrich Hall has 5 tiered classrooms.
"All [classrooms in Huntsman and Steinberg-Dietrich] have the same installed technology," Beverley Coulson, Wharton's Technical Director, said.
Typical equipment racks in Huntsman classrooms include DVD and VHS players, computers and built in video cameras with recording capabilities.
Whereas only 110 of the more advanced central pool rooms have installed projection systems, each Huntsman Hall classroom has a projection system, and tiered classrooms have two.
Tiered classrooms also have U-shaped desks and chairs that turn 360 degrees, "allowing students to communicate across the classroom and interact with one another more easily," Coulson said.
Many Huntsman Hall rooms also feature advanced control systems that allow instructors to control audio-visual equipment, lights and room settings.
"Technology is here to support teaching and instructors," Coulson said.
MBAs and undergraduates "are very comfortable" with the technology in Huntsman Hall, Coulson added.
College junior Maria Tsypkina has "no complaints" about classroom quality.
But many students admit that there facilities can vary somewhat.
"More recent buildings are more impressive," College junior Sara Morrow said. "Most of my classes are in Annenberg, it's nice in there except [for the fact that] we can't eat."
"I've had classes in DRL which wasn't as nice as say Huntsman ... I guess that's because [DRL is] older," Morrow added. "But nothing's so hideous that you can't take classes in there."
