This will allow the students to get to know each other and to develop close relationships with mentors and faculty members. Another advantage of the arrangement, Oliver says, is that it allows the college to quickly identify academic difficulties a student may encounter. It will alleviate the sense of isolation some medical students feel. Each area will include study carrels, computers, mailboxes, a break area, a mentor office, and clerical help. The community areas will be spread over two floors.
Plans call for the ground floor section to open onto an outside courtyard.
With the help of retired Hardin Library Director David Curry, the building has been designed with many seamless electronic interfaces with the learning resources at Hardin. Electronic technology also will allow vast changes in classroom teaching. Because information technology changes so quickly, it is important that we make flexibility an important part of the process. Each room will include advanced audio-visual technology. Plug-in jacks for laptop computers will allow students to download notes and additional materials that expand on the lectures.