ITEM No. 1 – RECOMMENDATION – COMMITTEE MEMBER APPOINTMENT

Richard Rudnicki explained to the Committee that Sean Petersen would no longer serve as a committee member now that his term had ended. Richard noted that Bill Freese is willing to continue to serve on the Committee for another term. Richard stated that Katie Ivester, the head of the Mathematics Department at Gallatin College, had volunteered to join the Classroom Committee. He recommended that the Committee approve the appointment of Katie.

The Vote: Brad Haderlie moves to approve, Tony Campeau seconds. The motion was approved unanimously

ITEM No. 2 – RECOMMENDATION – INSTRUCTIONAL SPACE RENOVATION PRIORITIZATION

Robert Stockdale walked the Committee through a presentation of the 24 classrooms that Planning, Design, and Construction (PDC) had identified as the top priorities for renovations. Robert explained that the rooms were selected based upon the Physical Condition score that was assigned to each room in the 2024 Classroom Inventory Report and that each room had a score indicating that at least one aspect of its physical condition was considered “defective.” Robert and Richard Rudnicki addressed questions regarding the Physical Condition methodology.
Richard Rudnicki stated that it was PDC’s recommendation that all the identified Reid Hall classrooms be the next rooms to undergo renovations. Richard noted that the renovation of all those rooms would take at least three to four annual cycles to complete. Richard spoke on the advantages of focusing renovation efforts on Reid Hall, including better efficiency in terms of time and money if construction was limited to one building, the fact that some rooms in Reid had previously been considered for renovation until fire code issues delayed the work, and that some of the selected rooms in Reid are among the worst across the entire campus. Richard then said that, if approved, the PDC staff would prioritize the order of the room renovations based on construction and budgetary concerns, and that the Committee would be kept up to date throughout the design and construction processes.

Brad Haderlie asked whether there were any other rooms that need renovations that were not located in Reid Hall, expressing his concern that committing to the Reid classrooms would prohibit the renovation of rooms in other buildings for the next three to four years. Richard first clarified that six of the rooms that presented were seen as being low priorities, despite their Physical Condition scores, for a variety of reasons which he individually described. He then offered that the Committee discuss the remaining rooms.

Rob Maher raised the idea of prioritizing the renovation of Roberts 113 because that would allow for all the Roberts Hall classrooms to have been renovated in recent years.

Tony Campeau mentioned his discomfort with committing to three years’ worth of renovations due to the expectation that conditions, needs, and priorities will change in that time. He asked whether the prioritization of renovations could be decided on an annual basis. Richard Rudnicki confirmed that rooms could be selected yearly.
Tony Campeau stated a preference for focusing efforts on some of the computer labs on campus rather than prioritizing the recently renovated rooms in Reid Hall. Richard Rudnicki replied that it would certainly be possible to work on rooms in Roberts Hall or elsewhere before all the rooms in Reid Hall had been completed. Richard also explained that certain design challenges in Reid Hall would be most effectively addressed if they were considered at the same time. Lastly, Richard stated that the Rural Education Center was considering renovations for one of their classrooms, so there would be a chance to align projects if a focus was placed on Reid Hall.

Brad Haderlie brought up the fact that some renovations were previously partially funded and led by Facilities Services. Brad asked whether that avenue was still open and if PDC was involved in coordinating that work. Richard Rudnicki replied that the Work Control means of repair is available and that Planning can interface with Facilities regarding their capacity for such work.

Brad Haderlie offered the idea that the three computer labs on the west ground floor corner of Roberts Hall could be addressed together for improved efficiencies, while also prioritizing rooms in Reid Hall. Brad also emphasized the need to involve UIT if computer labs are to be part of the renovation project.

Tony Campeau introduced as a motion that the Committee recommends that the rooms on the first floor of Reid Hall be prioritized as the focus of the next cycle of renovations.

Discussion shifted briefly to the past and future budgets for classroom renovations. Richard Rudnicki stated that the classroom renovation budget is expected to be $500,000 a year.

The Vote: Tony Campeau moves to approve, Bill Freese seconds. The motion was approved unanimously.

ITEM No. 3 – RECOMMENDATION – ROMNEY 408 & 438 CAPACITY REDUCTION

Tony Campeau explained that there are whiteboards installed in Romney 408 and 438, but that the rooms’ capacities and the corresponding amount of furniture prevent the whiteboards from being easily utilized by students, especially students in the development math classes which use the rooms. Tony stated that the Office of the Registrar proposes that the capacity of each room be reduced from 32 to 28 persons, which would allow for two tables to be removed from each classroom and would provide the needed space to use the whiteboards.

Katie Ivester confirmed that, based on her experience of teaching in those rooms, improving access to the whiteboards would be very helpful. Katie noted that the Gallatin College classes using those rooms are capped at 24 students, so the reduction in capacity would not be an issue.

Brad Haderlie asked about how the furniture would be rearranged. Tony Campeau replied that they had determined that the furniture could be appropriately reconfigured to allow for white board access and for teaching purposes.

Katie Ivester asked if the removed tables could be placed in the hallway areas for student use. Richard Rudnicki answered that the building’s egress paths would need to be examined to determine if that could safely be done, but that it may be possible to position them alongside other tables on the floor.

Brad Haderlie asked when this change would occur. Tony Campeau said that the furniture could be removed at any time, but that the Office of the Registrar would have to see whether any classes would be impacted by the reduction in capacity. Tony added that the change will certainly happen before the Fall 2025 semester.

The Vote: Tony Campeau moves to approve, Katie Ivester seconds. The motion was approved unanimously.

ITEM No. 4 – INFORMATIONAL – WILSON 1116 EQUIPMENT CHANGES

Tony Campeau informed the Committee that the Office of the Registrar will fund the installation of whiteboards, ShareLink, and a clock on the wall of Wilson 1116.

Kris Johnson asked whether a power over ethernet clock had been considered, given that battery operated clocks need to be manually reset and have their batteries changed. Tony Campeau answered that they will have to look at the available budget. Kris then recommended that clocks should not be installed in classrooms unless they are power over ethernet clocks.

A brief discussion ensued over whether power over ethernet clocks are included in the Classroom Design Guide. [Note: The Classroom Design Guide states that “POE (Power Over Ethernet) clocks should be provided in each classroom.”]

ITEM No. 5 – INFORMATIONAL – CHANGE OF CAPACITY LISTING FOR HERRICK 314

Tony Campeau informed the Committee that Herrick 314 has seating for 54 individuals, but that it is listed on Ad Astra as having a capacity of 50. To address this disparity, the Office of the Registrar will change the room’s listing on Ad Astra to reflect the four additional seats.

ITEM No. 6 – INFORMATIONAL – CHANGE OF CAPACITY OF ABB 136

Richard Rudnicki explained that a reduction of the capacity of Animal Bioscience Building (ABB) 136 from 50 to 48 individuals is needed because the fire code requires that a room with a capacity of 50 or more to have at least two exits that lead to either the outside or a main corridor. ABB 136 has only a single exit that leads to a main corridor, so it is necessary to reduce the room’s capacity to below 50 persons.

ITEM No. 7 – INFORMATIONAL – UPDATE ON BIDS FOR 2025 CLASSROOM RENOVATIONS

Richard Rudnicki updated the Committee on the bid process for this year’s classroom renovations. Richard informed the Committee that the selected bid allows for all five previously selected classrooms to be renovated and for all the add alternate work to be done as well.

Brad Haderlie mentioned the need for additional funding to equip the classrooms with the technology equipment that had been discussed in a previous Classroom Committee meeting. Jennisse Waters replied that there have been changes on the design end, so that there may be an opportunity to align budgets.