Higher tuition won't be the only change University of Memphis students notice come fall. Classrooms throughout campus are receiving a makeover this summer.
The University is updating about 25 rooms to "smart classrooms," rooms equipped with advanced features such as ceiling-mounted projectors, screens, laptops, white boards and podiums, as part of the Technology Access Fee (TAF) ongoing improvements, said Ruthie Bassford, director of space planning and utilization.
The renovation cost ranges from $10,000 to $15,000 per room, depending on the existing conditions and technology requirements, Bassford said.
In a January meeting, Bassford confirmed that the budget for improvements is $469,000.
By the time classes start this fall, the work on the new smart rooms in Clement Hall, Dunn Hall, Johnson Hall, Mitchell Hall, Manning Hall, the Psychology Building, Patterson Hall, Smith Hall and the Theatre Communication Building should be finished, Bassford said.
The TAF improvements are also updating equipment in 35 existing smart classrooms, she said.
But technology improvements are just the start of the renovations, Bassford said.
Efforts are underway to outfit 15 general-purpose classrooms - 10 in Manning hall and five in the Theatre Communications building -with new furniture.
Also, roughly 40 whiteboards will replace chalkboards in new and existing smart classrooms throughout 11 classroom buildings. Funds for the new furniture comes form the facilities fee.
To stretch the funds allotted for the classrooms, The University will recycle usable furniture into rooms that didn't receive updates rather than move them into surplus.
U of M professor Chrisann Schiro-Geist, founding chair of the Classroom Improvement Committee, said it's been difficult maintaining campus buildings because of increasing expenses. To tackle the task the committee has had to prioritize which classrooms need improvements the most.
"We have been catching up over the past two years and hope to keep up the momentum," she said. "We have 125 classrooms newly updated with technology, and we have done renovations in all the classrooms that had received a 'C' or 'D' in our inventory, but there is still work to do in improving classrooms."
Schiro-Geist said the improvements should have a positive impact on students by creating a more productive learning atmosphere.
"National studies have shown that one of the most important things for students is studying in a space that makes them feel good about being in class," she said.
Schiro-Geist also said the enhanced rooms could potentially attract new students.
"When prospective students come to visit campus, they need to feel that this University provides a learning environment," she said.
