The renovated dining hall isn’t the only new change to campus this year, and it certainly won’t be the last.
“We are constantly looking at ways to provide students with the best environment, both academic and social,” said Susan Yochum, Seton Hill University provost. “Whatever we do, we are trying to meet the needs of the students.”
Whether they can be seen from the visible eye or not, changes are being made everywhere on campus. From the recently renovated dining hall, to the technology in the classrooms and the changes being made to departments, SHU is constantly growing and adapting as the student population continues to do the same.
The dining hall is just one of these many changes. It was renovated for the start of fall semester to create a “healthier, more social environment for students to engage with,” said Yochum.
Last year, the student lounge in Maura, previously the old clay studio, was built after students expressed the need for more study and hangout space. The addition to the Boyle Science Center and the Visual Arts building were also among some of the changes made to SHU over recent years to improve the learning environment.
“We continue to look at the spaces on campus to determine what the next step is, whether that be technological upgrades, renovations, additional spaces or new programs for students,” said Yochum.
With this school year bringing the largest group of incoming students to SHU, part of the plan for that next step includes negotiations for major investments in additional residence spaces. “It is in the planning stages,” said Yochum. “More students coming to campus means working towards that goal of creating the best experience and environment for them.”
In addition to visible changes being made to campus, there are constantly “behind-the-scenes” changes that students aren’t always aware of. One of these changes includes the complete re-organization made to the academic departments this year.
For the past 20 years, academic affairs at SHU were divided into six divisions, each with a division chair. “As we’ve grown and tripled in size since then, it was time for a new organization,” said Yochum.
This new organization reformed the six divisions into five schools: Business, Education and Applied Social Sciences, Humanities, Natural and Health Sciences and Visual and Performing Arts. Each school is led by a dean along with an appointed “coordinator or chair” for the various departments within each school, and each school houses its own graduate program. “This new system is more manageable and fosters leadership,” said Yochum. “While these changes do not directly affect students, they do work towards that goal of creating the best learning environment.”
The process of analyzing academic affairs is a never-ending process for SHU. Last year, three new programs were introduced and the administration is constantly evaluating the need for more programs and other ways to improve academic affairs. From Reeves Learning Commons, to Career and Professional Development Center, to Health and Disability Services, all of these programs are growing and adapting to create an environment for students to learn at their best.
“We are looking at all of our structures and processes to be the most efficient,” said Yochum. “We are setting you up for a career path that will leave you better fit for the world in which you will live.”
Published By: Paige Parise