Standard 6
Element 4: Unit Facilities
The facilities used by the School of Education are modern and functional. Three key facilities are utilized for program delivery – the Robinson Center on the Lawrence Campus, the Edwards Campus in Overland Park, Kansas, and the main education building, Joseph R. Pearson Hall (JRP). Visual arts and music education programs are located in equally appropriate space in the Art and Design Building and Murphy Hall which offer studio and performance spaces along with computer labs and libraries. Many classes from all programs and levels are taught in the Joseph R. Pearson Hall on the Lawrence Campus. JRP was recently remodeled to serve as the School of Education, with the School moving into the new facility in 2001. It has an award winning design and is a source of pride for the School and university. Offices exceed university standards and departments are housed in groups on separate floors (along with several of the School’s research centers and institutes). Support personnel, from administration to the unit’s receptionist, are in close proximity to most faculty and students. Classrooms are very modern and well kept. High-level technology is available throughout the facility. The faculty, support staff, and candidates enjoy state-of-the-art facilities. An endowment fund provides monies for any building support and up-grades as needed.
The Health Sport and Exercises Sciences (HSES) department, home to the health/physical education licensure program, is housed in Robinson Center. Robinson has excellent space for the activities courses and laboratories needed by this department. Recent improvements have been made in technology equipment used for research. A large electronic plasma screen display provides consistent messages for School of Education students using the Robinson facility. Faculty and staff of HSES have office and technology space exceeding the University requirements. The classrooms are well equipped with the technology to meet the instructional needs of the faculty.
Graduate and undergraduate classes are offered at the Edwards Campus in Overland Park in Overland Park, Kansas. (Edwards is about 40 minutes from the main campus.) Classes are staffed by regular KU faculty as assigned by each department. Courses taught at Edwards are part of faculty members’ regular load. The facilities are ultra modern and served by a dedicated and helpful technology staff. Faculty members teaching here are rewarded with the best of facilities for everything from parking to library services. On-site technology support, advising staff, and library professionals are available to help in the delivery of services to students and to support faculty.
