Expansion in Design Department

As part of the university’s five year plan to improve and expand its facilities and programs, several of its schools are implementing changes to keep up with UB’s growing population. One such department is the Design Department located in the Arnold Bernhard Center. According to department chairman, Richard Yelle, the program has approximately fifty new freshmen for the fall 2005 semester, an increase that has not been met in over a decade. Because of this, the department hired four new professors, bringing the number to 23 up from 19, to accommodate the increased class sizes.
With the dramatic jump in numbers (both students and professors), UB’s Design Department felt it necessary to make certain desperately needed improvements, both in the appearance of the building and in the programs offered. One such improvement was applying a waterproof coating to certain parts of the roof that were previously leaking. Also, numerous students and faculty commented on the need for air conditioning units (particularly in the computer labs). Because of these numerous requests, the computer labs on the sixth floor of the ABC building had three A/C units installed earlier this semester. Ironically, though, as the winter months approach, there were several instances where the A/C had to be turned off, and in fact the computer lab became once again became one of the warmest rooms in the building according to several students and faculty. Once the warmer months roll around though, the A/C will be a great asset to the design department.
Another big change on the building appearance was the new courtyard built in front of the site (around the large dome). The extensive project was funded by Gilbert and Dorothy Larsen who have been greatly honored by the university. This brand new outdoor venue will not only benefit the design students but also any UB program or organization who wants its use for any outdoor activity.Another great improvement was not to the building directly but as an effort to boost student life. The idea of a social lounge in room 106 of the building was spearheaded by interior design student, Conner Glass, in an effort to bring life back to the design community at UB. The setup will be similar to the setup of the current Twisted Caf, but will be open mainly to design students. Even though it is just a work in progress now, there are high hopes for the lounge’s future.
It is quite apparent that the design program at UB is receiving great assistance to help cope with the large influx of students. And the department’s new chairman, Richard Yelle, is dealing with the situations in a professional and effective manner. However, many design students still wonder if all these new comforts are worth the fifty dollar studio fee that has been recently implemented for all studio classes. Even though the program as a whole is being improved, the actual classes that the fees were put towards don’t seem to have much improvement at all. Many students still wonder why they have to buy their own supplies even after they paid a fee to take the course in the first place. Putting all that aside, the design program is seeing growth and improvement that it has not seen in over a decade.