The foundation for the new College of Business building, on schedule for completion in July 2016, is going up and the building committee is already busy meeting about interior details.
Brian Kovar, faculty chair of the building committee and instructor of management, said the committee met for more than four hours recently, discussing furniture for classrooms and offices. According to Kovar, the whole college is really excited about the possibilities that a new building brings and can’t wait to move in.
“The new building gives us the opportunity to be more innovative and as cutting edge as possible,” Kovar said. “We can create a more applied education and hands-on experience.”
Kovar said technology updates are just one anticipated new feature of the building. Classes are being designed for the present and future; the design includes wires that don’t yet have a purpose.
“The possibilities for the future are endless,” Kovar said.
Caitlyn Webb, junior in management, said the future possibilities of the new building are important not only for the College of Business, but for K-State as a whole.
“The new building will embody the forward-thinking, progressive mentality of Kansas State University as a whole and help propel the university and her students towards meeting the demands placed on higher education,” Webb said.
One forward-thinking aspect that was taken into consideration with the new building was the investment of trees on the plot of land set aside for the new building. Kovar said the new building was actually designed to cut down as few trees as possible, but that for the trees that were removed, their wood is becoming a part of the building in places such as benches and tables.
Calvin Hall, the current home of the College of Business, has fixed seating, but this will change in the new building. Kovar said moveable seating will allow for independent teaching styles, as well as increased opportunities for teamwork and collaboration.
Another anticipated aspect of the new building is increased space. Kovar said space is increasing by about 2.5 percent, leading to more classrooms, offices and student lounges, including a coffee shop.
“Making the college more connected is probably the biggest effect of the new building,” Brent Fritzemeier, communications coordinator for the College of Business, said.
Fritzemeier said students won’t have to have classes in three different buildings, and students will be able to meet in the increased study space.
Kovar also said the increased space is something that Calvin Hall needed the most.
“There’s not enough space currently even to add faculty offices,” Kovar said. “Calvin (Hall) just isn’t big enough.”
Current student study spaces have been removed to increase classroom space, and club meetings and outside events are located in venues across campus. Kovar said the new building will have room for all College of Business clubs to meet and store things, as well as an atrium to have guest speakers and larger events.
The Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship, currently located off campus, will also have a home in the new building.
To Webb, it will be a blessing to centralize clubs in one area.
“It will enhance communication and further support students involved in a myriad of activities,” Webb said.
