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Campus Scene IN THE SPOTLIGHT AsktheExpert The College of Saint Rose Opens New Residence Hall This Month Furniture What type of furniture supports classroom collaboration? IN COLLABORATIVE CLASSROOMS, THE majority of learning experiences occur in small groups as instructors migrate from "knowledge source" to "learning process manager." This fundamental change in the process requires a structural change in classroom furniture. There are fi ve critical elements: face-to-face sharing, displaying shared information, adequate power and data communication, comfortable and appropriate seating, and ADA compliance. Students need to be face-to-face to ef- THE COLLEGE OF SAINT ROSE, Albany, NY, recently celebrated the grand opening of the EYP Architecture & Engineering-designed Centennial Hall, the Col- lege's new four-story student residence. Centennial Hall features single-occupancy bedrooms, lounges and group study areas, and a rear courtyard that will be used for campus gatherings. A convenience- type store, a café featuring made-to-order hamburgers and other hot foods (both open to the public), laundry facilities on each fl oor, indoor bike storage, and small study rooms provide students with outstanding amenities. The 94,000-sq.-ft., 225-bed residence hall incorporates a number of green features to minimize its energy use and overall impact on the environment. A closed loop geothermal heat pump system with a supplemental gas-fi red high-effi ciency hot water boiler provides the heating and air conditioning requirements. The hall's design incor- porates materials used throughout the building that are low in VOCs. High-effi ciency lighting and lighting controls to reduce electricity use and the use of single-stream recycling for paper, glass, metals, and plastics are included throughout. ULM Opens Unique Multicultural Library The College of Education & Human Development at the University of Louisi- ana at Monroe (ULM) recently hosted a grand opening of the ULM Multicultural Library — the region's only special col- lection of its kind. Multicultural literature focuses on the histories, cultures, and contributions of diverse groups including ethnic, racial, linguistic, religious, economic, special needs, and gender, among others. The library, a satellite of the main University library, is solely dedicated to multicultur- al literature and media for K-12 students, teacher candidates, and area teachers. The multicultural library is part of a larger entity — the College of Educa- tion & Human Development Culture Connection. { CONT. ON PAGE 8 } fectively communicate and share ideas. Tables must allow students to sit across from each other or in a semicircular pattern. Round and D-shaped tables assure that students on either side of a group can see past the center person. Students share information in many formats. Collaboration tables invariably have a large display or high-defi nition television wall-mounted adja- cent to the end of the table or on a display stand attached directly to the table. Table-attached display stands simplify wiring and avoid the cost of mounting monitors permanently on walls. In most collaborative environments, students use mobile computing devices. To ensure the de- vices are charged, a 120-volt charging outlet must be available to each student. A data communica- tion module may be required that include connec- tions for VGA cables, HDMI, display port, sound, or even microphones. An effective collaboration desk must have built-in wiring channels to conceal and protect wiring and connections. Collaborative classrooms enhance the learning experience, promote productive social interaction, and provide real-world experiences. They also can make the teaching experience more enjoyable. Fortunately, technology is available today to sup- port this change in teaching methodology. Robert A. Kensinger is the vice president of sales and Tony Nelson is the marketing specialist for Spectrum Industries, Inc. (www.spectrumfurniture. com). Contact Robert at rkensinger@spectrum- furniture.com or 800/235-1262. Contact Tony at tnelson@spectrumfurniture.com or 800/235-1262. NOVEMBER 2012 / COLLEGE PLANNING & MANAGEMENT 3