Deteoriating classrooms under renovation

Broken seats, unclear chalkboards, dull lighting — this may sound all too familiar to students who have experienced the not-so-pleasant facilities of classrooms, and the University is taking note.
University Facilities and Capital Planning in conjunction with the Classroom Renovation Committee is heading a three-year classroom renovation program, said Vice President of University Facilities Antonio Calcado.
“[The renovations] will happen to all the general purpose classrooms at the University over the course of three years,” he said.
The rooms are undergoing basic renovations such as replacing furnishings, furniture, ceiling tiles, lighting and flooring, including wall and window treatments and painting, Calcado said.
One hundred and eighty six classrooms are complete so far and the University is ahead of schedule.
Jennifer So, a Rutgers College junior, said she thinks the changes are needed.
“A lot of the desks in the classrooms now are really written on ... It would be better if we got new desks, better seats or something that gives you more room and allows you to see the lecture room better from the back,” she said.
Calcado said some chalkboards are being replaced by whiteboards.
“I think it’s clearer to see through a whiteboard than a chalkboard. I just feel like the chalkboards are a little bit outdated,” So said.
The changes started about one year ago, so the groups have one complete summer of renovations under their belt, Calcado said.
Most of the renovations are intensified over the summer rather than during the school year because it is the easiest way to handle the large amount of classrooms the University has, he said.
“We’re trying to create a better learning environment for our students, and it’s very difficult to do one classroom at a time,” Calcado said.
He said the changes would take too long to complete if they were to go around individually and fix one classroom at a time.
Calcado said Professor Carla Yanni is heading the Classroom Renovation Committee that consists of some students.
“We actually do the work, we manage it and they help us set the priorities,” he said.
The program is costing the University $15 million, Calcado said. It is funded through a bond issue, and it will be repayable through general University funds.
Bindal Vyas, a Livingston College senior, said the University should not being focusing funding on these projects.
“They [are] already cutting down classes for next semester. I know they’re not having the same classes that they already have, like my theater appreciation class,” she said. “I don’t know why they’re putting money into renovating classrooms when they can’t afford professors teaching classes.”
But So said the money is worth it for the renovations being done.
“The majority of the time that is spent here, we’re going to be in a classroom, so I feel like the money should be spent where learning would be made easier and [where] it would be more practical,” she said. “It does enhance learning, so I think it’s worth it.”