Classroom Committee Meeting Minutes - November 12, 2025

Members Absent: Jacqueline Frank

Staff & Guests: Robert Stockdale, Kane Urdahl, Pamela Harvey, Carter Dorsett

ITEM No. 1 – Approval of August 13, 2025, Meeting Minutes

The minutes from the August 13, 2025, Classroom Committee meeting were unanimously approved.

ITEM No. 2 – RECOMMENDATION – Reid Hall 124 Change in Orientation

Robert Stockdale explained that Reid Hall 124 is to be updated as part of a larger project that will renovate the spaces in the building used by the Center for Research on Rural Education (CRRE). Robert showed the committee photographs of the classroom’s current orientation, which features a considerable distance between the front of the room and the back row of seating. Robert then presented the renovation plans that will orient the room toward the wider wall to reduce the distance between the front and back of the classroom.

Richard Rudnicki explained that Reid Hall 124 is predominantly used for CRRE instruction, especially in the summer when teachers across the state come to MSU for continuing education. Richard added that the room was originally under consideration for renovation as part of the Reid Hall classroom improvement project that is funded by student fees, but the availability of a private donation to the CRRE allowed for the room to be renovated separately.

Carter Dorset asked if the room would feature additional storage. Richard responded that the renovation would provide a greater amount of storage for the CRRE than there is now.

Brad Haderlie asked how the room would be scheduled given that it is has specialized features, such as the CRRE storage space and a sink. Tony Campeau replied that Reid Hall 124 will continue to be a registrar-controlled classroom, but it will be prioritized for CRRE use. Brad then asked if CRRE staff have considered how they will implement distance learning technology. Richard stated that he will speak with project manager and client to discuss what technologies will be needed and how they will be used.

Tony Campeau asked if there would be a change in capacity for the classroom. Richard Rudnicki answered that the number of seats would not change.

Rob Maher commented that the floor-to-ceiling glass panel beside the classroom door should feature signage to help avoid individuals from walking into it. Jennisse Waters replied that the CRRE has discussed including a stencil on the glass.

Rob Maher moved to approve the change in orientation to Reid Hall 124.
Mac Burgess seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.

ITEM No. 3 – RECOMMENDATION – Roberts Hall 102 Change in Capacity

Robert Stockdale explained that an instructor had reached out to Planning Design and Construction about the challenges she has encountered when teaching and proctoring exams in Roberts Hall 102. Robert stated that the Office of the Registrar recommended a reduction of the capacity of the room from 40 to 35 seats. Robert noted that this change in capacity would result in an area per seat of 15.4 square feet, which would not meet the current guideline of 17 square feet per seat.

Mac Burgess asked what the updated area per seat standard would be under the revised classroom guidelines. Richard Rudnicki replied that new space standards have not yet been determined, but a room like Roberts Hall 102 with tablet-arm chairs would likely have a minimum of 18 square feet per seat.

Jennisse Waters and Mac Burgess asked why the capacity of the room could not be reduced by a greater number of seats. Tony Campeau replied that the room requires 35 seats to accommodate existing course scheduling demands, but, as new construction and renovations are completed, it may be possible to incrementally decrease the number of seats moving forward. Katie Ivester requested that the capacity of Roberts Hall 102 be revisited prior to the Fall 2026 semester.

Rob Maher commented that the chairs in Roberts Hall 102 are larger than those used in other classrooms in the building, so replacing the furniture could improve space utilization. Richard Rudnicki replied that there are no available funds for replacing the furniture in the room at this time, but that the request can be added to the list of projects for the next cycle of classroom funding. Mac Burgess asked if replacing the tablet-arm chairs with tables would impact the room’s capacity. Richard answered that tables would result in a further reduced capacity because of additional space requirements.

Mac Burgess moved to approve the change in capacity to Roberts Hall 102 from 40 to 35 seats.
Katie Ivester seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.

ITEM No. 4 – INFORMATIONAL – Use Classification Changes for Classrooms

Robert Stockdale informed the committee of five classrooms that are to be reclassified because they are no longer being used in an academic scheduling capacity. Robert explained that Cheever 110, Herrick 210C, and Traphagen 301 would all be reclassified as conference rooms, Atkinson Quad F 001 and 105 would be changed to residential lounges, and Barnard 126 would be classified as an instructional lab.

Bill Freese asked what the advantages were of reclassifying the rooms. Richard Rudnicki responded that reclassification allows the rooms to be scheduled differently from classrooms, which are managed by the Office of the Registrar. Carter Dorsett added that Academic Technology and Outreach supports rooms differently based on their classification, so this process will allow for a better understanding of the level of support needed for each room.

Rob Maher noted that Traphagen Hall is often a topic in space management discussions and asked whether Traphagen 301 could be used as an office rather than a conference room. Richard Rudnicki replied that Traphagen 301 is heavily used by building occupants but added that Space Management does scrutinize conference room use. 

ITEM No. 5 – INFORMATIONAL – 2025 Instructional Lab Inventory

Robert Stockdale walked the committee through the results of the 2025 Instructional Lab Inventory, which was conducted over the summer semester. Robert explained that each instructional lab on campus was given a physical condition score based on a visual assessment of the room’s walls, floor, ceiling, and writing surfaces. Robert noted that the majority of the labs were rated as being in either Excellent or Good condition. Robert then introduced the six rooms that received the lowest scores: Linfield Hall 122C, Barnard Hall 119, AJM Johnson 147, AJM Johnson 253, Haynes Hall 233, and Leon Johnson Hall 223.

Richard Rudnicki mentioned that there have been renovation requests for Linfield 122C to help cope with the number of course sections that use the space. Richard highlighted how these requests are supported by the physical condition score. Richard then pointed out the need for updated furniture and equipment in Barnard 119.

Tony Campeau asked whether there was a process in place for identifying funds and prioritizing their use for instructional lab improvements. Richard Rudnicki replied that the student fees used for classroom renovations can be used for any instructional space, so lab renovations are an option when funding is available in 2027. Richard added that the Classroom Committee would be the deciding body for which instructional spaces should be prioritized, and that committee’s recommendation would then be taken to ASMSU for their consideration and approval.

ITEM No. 6 – INFORMATIONAL – Classroom Guidebook Review

Robert Stockdale provided an overview of the Classroom Guidebook that is found on the Classroom Committee page of the Planning, Design & Construction website.

Tony Campeau stated that he found the Classroom Guidebook to be a great resource, but that there is a need to improve awareness of it. Richard Rudnicki replied that it could be helpful to link to the Guidebook from the Registrar and Center for Faculty Excellence webpages or to have it included in MSU Today. Shannon Willoughby stated that she would add a link to the Guidebook on the Center for Faculty Excellence website.

Rob Maher proposed that it would also be helpful to introduce faculty members to the various classrooms on campus to familiarize them with each room’s technologies.

ITEM No. 7 – INFORMATIONAL – Loss of Registrar’s Office “Flexible” Classroom Funds

Tony Campeau noted that the Office of the Registrar previously had discretionary funds with which to address immediate classroom needs, but that funding is no longer available.

Kane Urdahl explained that Facilities Services has funding designated for classrooms, so work orders for whiteboards or other items should include a note in the description stating that the work is for a 110-Classroom. Kane added that such specificity is also helpful for Facilities Services’ accounting. Richard Rudnicki noted that there is an ongoing conversation between Planning, Design and Construction; the Office of the Registrar; and Facilities Services to determine the most cost-efficient methods of improving classrooms. Brad Haderlie mentioned that some AV repairs and upgrades for classrooms can be funded through Academic Technology and Outreach, but that the funding does not extend to instructional labs.

ITEM No. 8 – OPEN DISCUSSION

Finn Growney introduced himself as the ASMSU Vice-President and the new student representative on the Classroom Committee.

The committee discussed issues related to bulb projectors on campus and the need to be proactive about upgrading technologies. Rob Maher asked whether it is an issue for classroom projectors to be left on overnight. Brad Haderlie replied that laser projectors have a stated lifetime of five years of continuous use, so the useful life of the units should not be significantly impacted by their not being turned off overnight.

Mac Burgess asked whether USB-C connectors would become a standard for classroom lecterns. Brad Haderlie replied that it is being considered, but that there are user-end issues that are cause for hesitancy.

Jennisse Waters stated that minor changes are being made to Herrick Hall 117 to address the re-orientation of the room that occurred over the summer. Jennisse then explained that the furniture for Leon Johnson 346 is scheduled to be deliver on December 1, and that Roberts Hall 101 and its neighboring restroom are anticipated to be completed by December 12.