The proposal regarding space needs for the Science and Mathematics Departments was discussed. The proposal emphasizes a shared programmatic vision for the sciences and a desire to locate Biology and Earth Sciences under the same roof with other departments in the subdivision. Al Lackey stated that because these departments are currently in different buildings, students don't see the continuity between the disciplines and faculty find it hard to collaborate and share resources. To achieve this configuration, the sciences are recommending building a new wing onto Snygg hall. Dave Sargent asked if those who drafted the proposal had looked at other models where science departments are housed under one roof.
Some campuses use a more decentralized approach.
Al responded that, for undergraduate needs, schools make more use of a centralized rather than decentralized approach. Larger programs that have graduate programs tend to use the decentralized model. Craig Graci noted that the Computer Science Department's portion of the proposal was more modest than that of Biology and Earth Sciences. CS merely wants to reconfigure their space to showcase their equipment, labs and the work that is going on there. CS would not want to wait for a full building renovation before their portion of the proposal could be achieved.