New group study commons to enhance collaboration

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

A recent renovation on the ground level of the J. Murrey Atkins Library has resulted in nearly 20,000 square feet of renovated study space intended to support collaborative work.

The $1.2 million project created seven group study rooms of varying sizes, equipped with the latest technology for video conferencing and with the ability to connect multiple devices to promote student collaboration. The rooms also provide add-on technological capabilities­--multiple large-screen displays, enterprise software, such as Adobe Creative Suite, and presentation programs, which will extend what students’ laptops can do and how they share their work with others.

“We’re confident that the group study commons will become the most popular academic space on campus, and as a result, it’s going to make our students more competitive and our University more competitive,” said University Librarian Stanley Wilder. “Who knows what world-changing ideas will be born right here, scrawled on whiteboards and projected on monitors.”

In designing the group study commons, University officials paid systematic attention to how scholarly work is accomplished in today’s academic environment. Donna Lanclos, associate professor for anthropological research, continually studies student behavior, and her observations informed the design of the space.

“Students were reconfiguring spaces obviously to support group study. They were showing us the way they wanted to work,” said Lanclos. “Through observation, interviews and polls, our students told us how a space needs to work in order for group work to happen, and we asked for their input on what to include in terms of seating and technology.”

Lanclos explained that students said that they don’t always want to carry their laptops, so all rooms include a Mac mini behind the flat screens for those who don’t bring their own computer.

Another popular feature is the flexible seating.  Instead of providing fixed seating or hard-to-move pieces, the seating, tables and screens are intended to be portable so students can configure their study areas as they want, whether in collaborative grouping or private study nooks.

University leaders celebrated the official opening of the new group study commons recently with a reception attended by more than 200 students, faculty and staff, including Chancellor Philip L. Dubois and Provost Joan Lorden.

The renovation was the second phase of library efforts to provide optimum collaborative space and promote student engagement. The first phase was the completion of the North Entrance in 2012.

Photo inset: At the formal opening reception for the group study commons, University Librarian Stanley Wilder (second right)acknowledged the design and construction team (left to right) Kent Reid, A.L.R. Architecture; Cheryl Lansford, UNC Charlotte Design Services; and Judy Moore, Heartland Contracting.