Standard 6. Element Four: Unit Facilities

 

The Professional Education Programs Unit is housed in two buildings: Harris Hall (the Department of Graduate Professional Education Programs and the Center for Undergraduate Professional Education Programs) and Daniel Gymnasium (the Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance). These facilities house ideal classroom facilities for education programs, including technologically advanced classrooms, faculty offices, and specialized computer laboratories.

 

Harris Hall, the University’s main education building, houses 8 general-usage classrooms primarily housing course sections in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education. Of these 8 rooms, 5 are smart rooms (containing a ceiling-mounted LCD projector with computer and audio-visual interfaces [3 of these house a fixed console with VCR, DVD player, and document camera]). Education course sections have primary access to these classrooms, particularly graduate courses which predominate the evening/night class periods. Harris Hall also houses 3 general-usage computer laboratories (two with 28 stations and one with 20) open to all students to which candidates and pre-candidates in the Unit have access. The computers in these laboratories are Dell Pentium IV machines loaded with Microsoft Office and a variety of other software (as requested by faculty); all have Internet access. 

 

To ensure that education students have exclusive access to instructional/information technology at all times, there are several specialized classrooms/laboratories restricted to Unit use. The graduate smart room, refurbished in 2005, is equipped with 20 positions, each with Internet access via wireless or cable drop, a Polycom® system for distance education activities, and an LCD projector with computer console and motorized screen. The laboratory classroom is equipped with an LCD projector and computer console, student desks, and elementary and secondary school texts for research purposes. These classrooms provide ideal surroundings for students with whom the Unit works in RFTEN and other projects. The Curriculum Resource Center, a smart room equipped with LCD projector and computer/DVD/VHS/document camera console, is a research center for faculty and students, serving as a repository of current texts, periodicals, and other materials. The permanent, secure documents room is the perpetual repository for all student and faculty records as well as activity documentation. The student organization office is a space provided for the VSU Chapter of the Student Education Association; it is also used by students to conduct research and prepare presentations for classes. The 28-position Praxis computer laboratory (with Internet access) is used for students and school partners to conduct Praxis preparation/practice using Plato software

 

The faculties in the Center for Undergraduate Professional Education Programs and the Department of Graduate Professional Education Programs have private offices in Harris Hall to facilitate the one-to-one student development for which VSU is highly regarded. Each office is equipped with a computer (with Internet access), telephone, and space for books and other learning materials. Faculty members have ready access copiers, fax machines, and other tools such as a laminator and spiral binder. Each education faculty member received a new Dell Pentium IV laptop with wireless Internet access in 2005. Faculty computers are updated on a regular basis—usually every three to four years, depending on the level of usage and needs of the individual faculty member.

 

The Daniel Gymnasium facility is utilized exclusively by students majoring in Health and Physical Education and Recreation and students enrolled in Health and Physical Education courses. The facility houses private office spaces (with a computer and Internet access) for each of its 12 faculty members, 4 large classrooms (2 of which are smart rooms), the gymnasium (refurbished in 2004), an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a dance studio, a health and fitness center, a driver-education simulation laboratory, athletic weight training rooms, and locker rooms for the University’s varsity athletes.

 

The University’s commitment to outstanding Unit facilities is demonstrated via the ongoing fiscal investment in building maintenance and upgrading as part of a campus-wide initiative. The University has designated Daniel Gymnasium a priority for renovation, requesting $19,000,000 from the Commonwealth (for the 2006-08 biennium) to finance its renovation. Similarly, substantial funding for upgrades in Harris Hall has been acquired since fiscal year 2001-2002. Offices and classrooms have received technological upgrades (smart rooms) exceeding $350,000; other Unit facilities (the Curriculum Resource Center, Laboratory Classroom, Documents Room, the Unit Office, and Student Organization Room) have been refurbished at a cost of over $30,000. In 2005, the University installed an Out Takes lounge Harris Hall, a very popular establishment, which sells coffees, teas, soft drinks, and light fare for all students. Harris Hall is currently scheduled for renovation in the University’s 2008-2010 six-year biennial plan (a part of the VSU 2020 Vision Long-Range Plan); the projected cost is $15,605,000.