New hi-tech building being planned - (7/7)
by Irasema Romero, Reporter
Eastfield is adding a high-tech Learning Spaces building, equipped with classrooms, offices and study areas. It will be built adjacent to the Fine Arts building and should be the focal point of the campus, according to Dr. Richard Cinclair, Dean of the Social Science and Human Services division and committee chair.
In addition, changes will be made to the N-building to satisfy the needs of the Child Development program.
A meeting was held last week discuss options concerning the programs and features being housed in the new center. A committee made up of faculty and students was organized to oversee the project.
The building will be around 55,000 square feet, 32,000 square feet being instructional area, planned to be learning spaces, where students can feel more comfortable, and not traditional classrooms.
A total of 2,800 square feet is assigned for student study areas and the entire building will have wireless capability. The committee is also looking for a way to stop student’s cell phones from ringing in the classroom with an electronic jamming system.
The building will house 45 faculty offices and two division offices will be included, according to a building plan. It will also have a social work/substance abuse counseling and gerontology suite with an interviewing room for student laboratory work.
According to Cinclair, the Criminal Justice Department will add an emphasis of forensic science to its associate degree, and the building will host a forensic science lab.
During the meeting, the committee decided that an additional stand-alone building of about 12,000 square feet would be the best alternative for the Child Development program.
According to Judy Schwartz, program specialist of Student Programs and Resources, having a separate building for the Child Development center will be safer for children being dropped off because it will not be accessible to the general public.
With the newly available space in the N building where the Child Development center is now located, the bookstore’s need for bigger space will be met.
Dr. Lindle Grigsby, building project manager, said that the bookstore is in need of an area that has easy delivery access. The goal is to close off the truck entrance between the Science building and the C building, where students cross, in order to be safe, said Cinclair.
The current bookstore space will be used for the ceramics program and artwork will be displayed in the small grass area behind the building.
A $24 million bond program approved in May 2004 by county voters is funding the Learning Spaces building. Architects will be decided in the July meeting of the district’s board of trustees. |
