[SC-pod] Physical centers

[Steven Volk]

Hi, Michael. I'm in my second year directing a teaching center at 
Oberlin. One of my only requirements before taking the job was that it 
have a dedicated space, and that the space be in an easily accessible 
spot. I ended up with a magnificent space in our library, which is at 
the center of the campus and (since the addition of a cafe, etc.), of 
social life. The reason for insisting on a space was many-fold: (1) 
since most of our activities are group events, I wanted to have a 
location that people would always know about and that I wouldn't have to 
schedule with someone else; (2) space, particularly where it is limited, 
indicates that the institution places a high degree of importance in 
what you are doing -- and the faculty are sensitive to that; (3) library 
space is important in the configuration of Oberlin since it's not in the 
sciences part of the campus or the humanities part or the...etc.; (4) 
finally, by having your own space, you can design it the way you want -- 
and making a space comfortable, welcoming, and accessible is quite 
important.

Good luck!

Steve

Steven S. Volk
Professor, Department of History
Director, Center for Teaching Innovation and Excellence (CTIE)
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH  44074

Office: (440) 775-8522
Office Fax:  (440) 775-6910
Home and FAX:  (440) 774-1129

Web:  http://www.oberlin.edu/faculty/svolk
Email:  Steven.Volk at oberlin.edu



Boyle, Michael (BOYLE) wrote:
>
> At the suggestion of a colleague I am re-posting this message below to 
> the small group list serve. If you already saw it or responded to it 
> on the main POD  site  my apologies ; however if you had insight from 
> a small college perspective I would love to hear from you.
>
>  
>
>  
>
> Happy New Year to all. I would like to solicit opinions on the value
>
> of having a dedicated teaching center versus operating out of an
>
> individual's office. We are a small residential liberal arts college
>
> with approximately 100 faculty. For the past year plus we have been
>
> operating grass roots SoTL initiative and are now contemplating a
>
> more formal SoTL center with a faculty person having release time to
>
> direct it. We would like to collect others opinions on whether
>
> having designated physical space for a new center is not important,
>
> valuable or essential. It would also be helpful to know from those
>
> of you who have experience in starting centers if there are
>
> important considerations that guide this decision like location,
>
> what needs to be in the space etc. We appreciate that all politics
>
> is local and that there are many variables including the size of the
>
> school, the scope of the center etc. etc. but any thoughts you might
>
> offer would be greatly appreciated.
>
>  
>
>  Mike Boyle.
>
>  
>
> Michael D Boyle, Ph.D.
>
> William J von Liebig Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Department of
>
> Biology, Juniata College, 1700 Moore Street, Huntingdon,
>
> Pennsylvania 16652.
>
> Office     814 641 3553
>
> Fax     814 641 3685
>
> >>> 
>
>  Thanks.
>
> Mike
>
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>
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