Members Present: Richard Rudnicki – Co-Chair, Shannon Willoughby – Co-Chair, Bill Freese, Rob Maher, Tony Campeau, Jennisse Waters, Mac Burgess, Paul Edlund, Brad Haderlie, Katie Ivester, Jacqueline Frank

Members Absent:Wendy Guido, Finn Growney – ASMSU Vice President

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

ITEM No. 1 – Approval of November 12, 2025, Meeting Minutes

The minutes from the November 12, 2025, Classroom Committee meeting were unanimously approved.

ITEM No. 2 – INFORMATIONAL – Linfield Hall 113 Furniture Layout

Robert Stockdale explained that Linfield Hall 113 was renovated during the summer of 2025, with its tiers and tablet-arm chairs replaced by moveable tiered desks and chairs. Robert described how, with the room now in use, the furniture is being rearranged, resulting in a layout that does not meet code requirements for egress or ADA accessibility. Robert noted that current scheduling demands do not permit for a reduction in the room’s capacity that would allow for the altered furniture arrangement to be maintained while having the room be code compliant. Robert then stated that the current proposed solution is to provide diagrams of the proper furniture layout in the room and to have the Office of the Registrar inform the faculty members who use the room that the designed configuration is required. Robert added that if this approach does not address the issue, then alternative actions will be necessary.

Rob Maher asked whether the furniture in the room was designed to be movable. Richard Rudnicki replied that the tables and chairs do feature casters. Rob proposed that non-permanent markings be placed on the floor to indicate where the furniture should be. Jacqueline Frank commented that the center aisle should be marked to address the egress issue. Jacqueline then asked if the casters on the tables could be removed. Jennisse Waters answered that she would look to see if that change is possible.

Jaqueline Frank noted that the centralized screen and the doors at either side of the room are reasons for the furniture being rearranged. Mac Burgess added that the adjusted layout allows for students to enter the room late without crossing in front of the instructor, which may also be a reason for the change. Brad Haderlie mentioned that a previous design guideline advised that entryways be located on the opposite side of the room from the lectern. Jennisse Waters explained that the room’s dimensions dictated its orientation and layout.

Katie Ivester noted that it might not occur to instructors that there would be an issue with moving the furniture in a classroom. Katie asked where the furniture diagram would be placed so that it would be noticeable to the faculty using the room. Richard Rudnicki replied that diagrams will be located at both entries and on the podium. Richard added that in classrooms with fewer than 50 seats, that there is less of a concern of furniture being moved, but that rooms with more than 50 seats require two exits and adequate aisle space to accommodate both lanes of egress.

Tony Campeau stated that moveable furniture had become the default for classroom designs as it allowed for instructors to have flexibility in arranging the classroom to meet their teaching methods, but that this instance offers a case where such flexibility proved not to be useful. Jennisse Waters responded that this issue is being addressed in the revisions to the Classroom Design Guidelines.

ITEM No. 3 – INFORMATIONAL – Classroom Furniture Stickers

Tony Campeau described the on-going issue of classroom furniture being moved out of rooms to other locations, which requires the laborious task of locating and moving dozens of pieces of furniture before the start of each semester. Pamela Harvey added that the process of returning furniture in Romney Hall to the correct room takes roughly 15 hours, and that furniture in Norm Asbjornson Hall is similarly problematic. Tony then explained that the Office of the Registrar is planning to add color-coded stickers to the classroom furniture in Romney Hall that indicate the floor and room to which each piece of furniture belongs.

ITEM No. 2 – INFORMATIONAL – Misuse of Furniture in Barnard Hall 103

Tony Campeau outlined the issue of Barnard Hall 103 being persistently left in disarray by student clubs, with furniture being moved into the room and items being left strewn about. Tony noted that various groups use the room but that the same faculty members are left to manage the resulting mess. Tony stated that the Dean of Students has been contacted to help communicate the issue and to warn students that continued misuse of the space will result in the room no longer being available for student use.

Brad Haderlie proposed that a QR code be provided in each classroom that would link to a form for reporting classroom issues. Tony Campeau replied that it would also be helpful for the QR code to provide classroom-specific information, such as furniture layout or technology tutorials.

ITEM No. 5 – INFORMATIONAL – Center for Faculty Excellence Sharing Classroom Guidebook

Robert Stockdale highlighted that Shannon Willoughby had added the Classroom Guidebook as part of the New Faculty Success Checklist, which is used for new faculty orientation.

ITEM No. 6 – OPEN DISCUSSION

Tony Campeau shared that he had toured Gianforte Hall and thought that it will be a great addition to the university. Tony added that the classroom space in Gianforte Hall will hopefully allow for more flexibility for scheduling classes campus wide.

Jennisse Waters updated the committee on the current classroom renovations, noting that Roberts Hall 101 has some work remaining and that Leon Johnson Hall 346 will have its furniture installed following the end of finals week.

Tony Campeau asked if there was a timeline for the new Gallatin College building. Richard Rudnicki replied that there is a currently a delay with the project due the State Architecture and Engineering Division’s prioritization of other state projects, but that the RFP to select a project designer would likely occur in the spring of 2026.