Health and Sciences Branch Out

The College of Health Sciences is expanding to the Frontier Building, formerly known as the old Commonwealth Telephone building on Lake Street.  The expansion will benefit the medical imaging, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology departments.

“We’re hoping the initial move will be by the end of August of next year,” said Jean Dyer, dean of the College of Health and Sciences.

Renovation plans will not change the façade because the building is historic. Only the inside and back side will be renovated. The interior will accommodate clinical labs, classrooms, seminar rooms, student lounge, food service, faculty lounge and offices, and it will feature a new elevator system. 

The majority of health science facilities are located in Anderson, with medical imaging classes on the ground floor of Mercy Hall and speech pathology offices on the second floor. 

Sophomore Ashley Lazar says space is short for her medical imaging labs. She says they {classmates} fit 20 students in a roughly 8 feet by 10 feet space to learn one day.

“We couldn’t really see,” she says. “We’re scattered around the room and the machine is against the wall.”

One issue for most students is the distance to the new building from campus.

“They’re going to need to allow for change [between classes],” said junior physical therapy major Kristina Paddock.  “As of now our classes are ten minutes apart.”

Dyer is working closely with groups such as Student Government and green groups like Cougars for Change to discover alternatives to driving. The groups are looking into bike rentals and walking or hiking paths. A shuttle system will also be available to students and faculty.

“Once you park you can leave it parked,” said Dyer, who hopes to have students parking at the new facilities. “You shouldn’t have to run around.”

As of press time, the speech pathology and nursing programs are guaranteed to move into the new building. One more department will be assured a place in the new facilities, and the remaining two facilities will either move or be renovated.

“We’re looking for students to take a part.  Their help will be welcomed,”
 said Dyer.

The new building is not meant to be a separate entity, said Dyer, who hopes to keep the new Health and Sciences building a part of the main campus.

“To maintain a connection to the main campus, a non lab-intensive class may be held up here,” Dyer said.