Brenda Farmer, Educational Technology Services— Classroom Technology
LaVern Lazzereschi, Office of the Registrar
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Beginning this fiscal year, 2006–07, the campus embarked on an ambitious, five-year program to upgrade and renovate all general-assignment (GA) classrooms. The Office of the Registrar and Educational Technology Services are jointly managing the project.
The improvements are being made under the auspices of the Campus Committee on Classroom Policy and Management. "I am very gratified the Chancellor has allocated funds to substantially improve the quality of our general-assignment classrooms," said Catherine Koshland, vice provost for academic planning and facilities. "This project will benefit a large number of students and faculty members."
Wheeler Hall is the focus this year, with an ambitious project to improve 29 general-assignment classrooms. The renovations are planned in three stages. During Phase I, conducted over the 2006–07 winter break, the electrical and network infrastructure upgrades were installed in preparation for the AV equipment installation during spring 2007. Because many of the power circuits in Wheeler Hall were outdated and shared between offices and classrooms, the first phase of the renovation project included upgrading electrical panels, putting each classroom on its own circuit, as well as adding significant network capacity to the classrooms.
Phase II takes place throughout the spring 2007 semester. Classrooms will receive complete audio/visual systems with ceiling-mounted data projectors, control systems, and DVD and VHS players. Two new classrooms will come online every two weeks from January through May, for a total of 16 new Wheeler classrooms with technology functionality.
During this period, instructors are moving, in two-week blocks, into and out of two surge rooms to accommodate the installation schedule. This "surge schedule" required the Office of the Registrar to develop a complex scheduling timeline and communications plan. The full surge schedule is posted in Wheeler Hall and on the 2007 Wheeler Hall Classroom Renovations page of the ETS website.
Phase III will take place over summer 2007 with aesthetic improvements such as painting walls; replacing chalkboards, furniture, and shades; and installing energy-efficient lighting.
By the end of the summer, all of the general-assignment classrooms in Wheeler Hall will be installed with audio/visual technology. For the first time, any instructor assigned to Wheeler Hall can be guaranteed technology in the classroom.
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