The School of Education and Allied Professions has announced plans to change its name and location within the next two years.
According to Kevin Kelly, the school’s dean, the school will be called the School of Education and Health Sciences as of July 1 and will move from Chaminade Hall to the sixth floor of the College Park Center in summer 2014.
Kelly cited growth and innovation within the school as the main reasons for change.
“There simply isn’t enough room in Chaminade,” Kelly said. “We’ve struggled for several years with locating staff and faculty. The big reason for the move is the lack of space.”
Planned construction on the arcade, the building located in between Chaminade Hall and St. Mary’s Hall, will require the school to vacate the annex by the next academic year, displacing staff and putting further strain on the school in terms of space, he said.
Tom Lasley, an education professor and former dean of the School of Education and Allied Professions, also noted the more than 100-year-old building was in need of improvements.
“We are going to have new and updated facilities,” Lasley said. “The institutions we compete with regionally all have very new facilities. We by far had the oldest. Having this new space will be quite significant for the school and will be attractive for students.”
Kelly said additions of graduate and doctorate-level health science programs demanded the name change.
“We needed a name that really communicates to people what we do and the programs we offer,” Kelly said. “We felt the term ‘allied professions’ didn’t resonate, especially in terms of trying to communicate to prospective students the types of programs we have. The term ‘health science’ connects to where we are as a school and where we are going.”
Ryan Benedict, a junior pre-physical therapy major, felt the changes were necessary to unify the school.
“As a pre-physical therapy major, I feel like we don’t get enough recognition that we’re part of the School of Education,” Benedict said. “I don’t really think people understand what ‘allied professions’ means either. I think it will be great for the education majors and health science majors to be in one place.”
Katie Fawcett, a junior education major, thought the move to the CPC would be beneficial for students.
“I think the CPC is a better place for the school to grow,” Fawcett said. “There’s so much space and great classrooms, but I’m glad I won’t be around for it. I’d really miss having class in Chaminade. I think it has character and it’s been my second home on campus.”
