On Home Ground

SOM students celebrate the significant pleasures of coming together under
one roof

By Paula Felps


or many of the students at The University of Texas at Dallas, the most
exciting thing about the new School of Management building is the idea of
finding common ground.

Since its inception, the school has managed to thrive under less than
ideal conditions - such as a lack of a central facility - and without
access to important high-tech tools. The new building not only remedies
those problems but also instills pride in the students who call it home.

"Until now, everything has been so spread out, with nothing in the same
place," says Jori Shapiro, an MBA student who works part time as a
teaching assistant for Associate Dean of External Affairs and Corporate
Development Diane McNulty.


One place to call home

"Having The School of Management focused in one small area is definitely
more conducive to a learning environment. We'll be able to get things done
more efficiently, and it also allows the students to have a sense of
belonging. I think that's really important," Ms. Shapiro says.
She adds that the lack of a single, centralized facility has prevented
students from feeling that the campus is "home" - instead, it's seemed
more like a commuter's campus.

"You don't see the same people regularly, so you don't build a sense of
community," she says. "When you don't have that, you can't create the kind
of networking opportunities you'd like to have, and those are so important
to getting a job. So the new building is a definite plus for that. We now
have a nice learning environment, but it's also about seeing the same
faces and giving you more of a feeling of being at a major university."


Appearances count
That, in turn, will likely heighten the school's draw to potential
students.

"It is a fact of life that appearances count," offers John T. Verges, who
earned his undergraduate degree in May and now is enrolled in the Global
MBA Online program. "The new building shows prospective students that the
university is serious about providing quality programs in management.
Temporary buildings and classrooms scattered all over campus simply do not
present as impressive an image as a brand-new structure positioned in a
highly visible location.

"I would fully expect an increase in the rate of enrollment."


Making life easier - and more sociable

Gary Church, an undergraduate student at UTD, echoes those views, saying
he transferred from Brigham Young University based on the school's
reputation. The lack of a single facility didn't dampen his enthusiasm for
his courses, but he does agree that the new building brings an element of
ease to his studies.
"I think it's a big benefit to be able to focus completely on my studies
rather than spending so much time trying to figure out where things are,"
he says. In the past, "there was a lot of wasted time. I think it's nice
to have new equipment and a new environment for learning."

Mr. Church also says the social aspect of education is enhanced by 
the new building.

"The way things have been, I haven't really had the opportunity to meet
other students beyond my general classes," he says. "With everyone in one
place, it's going to be easier to meet people and make friends."

Not only do current students talk about having a greater sense of
community and a larger student body, but Mr. Verges says the quality of
education is improved as well.
He says, "Poor climate control, mysterious light switches or waiting on
audiovisual equipment to be delivered can be quite distracting to the
learning process. New facilities should eliminate the vast majority of
these issues [and] improve concentration levels. As better equipped
classrooms are added to the campus, the overall quality of education can
only benefit."

Ms. Shapiro adds that the school is utilizing the new building to its
greatest possible potential, with advanced technology in place. Top-notch
instructors now have the latest conveniences at their fingertips,
conveniences that enable them to incorporate a broader range of teaching
tools - ultimately enhancing the education experience for students and
teachers alike.

"The fact that the classrooms are so high-tech allows us to be more
interactive, which is a huge convenience," she says. "It all ties in
together. It gives you a sense of pride about where you're learning, and
makes you feel more confident to be in a good environment.

"I'm excited about what could happen with my future."