IUS Times

Committee Update: Crestview gets revamped

When Lee Staton, director of IT-Media Services, was a student at IUS in the 1970s, he distinctly remembered the classrooms in Crestview Hall. Surprisingly, he said, when he came back as an employee 25 years later, the Crestview classrooms were still the same and were in desperate need of a transformation.

With the help of Staton and other members of the Classroom Committee--and most critically, the strong backing of Chancellor Sandra Patterson-Randles--Crestview has a fresh, new look. The committee met eight times during the 2004-2005 year and helped steer the process that transformed Crestview into a more welcoming place for students.

The committee participated in decisions about upgrades in classroom furniture and technology. Walking into a classroom in Crestview today, students will see new instructional technology and new tablet-arm chairs as well as fresh new paint on the walls and new light fixtures. The committee has also had a key role in renovation choices in Hillside Hall as well, and by spring 2006, remodeled facilities and new instructional technology will be available in all classrooms.

Bob Snip, director of Physical Plant, and John Petrysian, manager of telecommunications for IT-Computer Services, along with Staton, have been instrumental in the renovations. Their respective teams have performed the actual renovation work over a multi-year span.

Staton said in the past there had been no funds available to make such changes. "The Committee has always had the authority to make judgment calls on what should be done to classrooms, but have never had the means available," he said. "The past two years were different because the administration put the money behind the initiatives." The facilities improvements are part of the new IUS Strategic Plan.

The collaboration of the committee was also instrumental in the redecorating process. "We had a wonderful team made up of faculty and staff," Staton said, adding that it "allowed many different perspectives and ideas to be brought to the table." Deborah Finkel, associate vice chancellor and chair of the committee, was significant in obtaining all new classroom furniture in Crestview. Staton said that Finkel was a great leader and "worked hard to help make as many changes as possible."

As a side project, student lounge furniture in several buildings was repaired and reupholstered in IU red fabric. Snip found a company to recover this existing furniture at an ideal cost.

Now, for Staton, a walk into Crestview doesn't bring up the same memories, and for good reason. "It looks better than it did when it was new. The excellent reviews we've received from faculty and students are a tribute to the many individuals who made this possible," Staton said.

Members of the Classroom Committee:

• Deborah Finkel (Chair) - Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
• Bernie Carducci - Faculty Representative
• Joe Crea - Student Representative
• Jamie Kauffman - ILTE Director
• Bob Snip - Director of Physical Plant
• Lee Staton - Director of Media Services
• Hannah Wallace - Coordinator of Disability Services and Campus Life Representative
• Marilyn Whitesell - Faculty Representative
• Jan Williamson - Registrar

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