Why a Faculty Commons?

Provost Krendl’s desire for better and more pervasive faculty support coincided with the necessity of finding new space for three units that support faculty teaching: the former Center for Innovations in Technology for Learning (CITL), now the Center for Academic Technology (CAT); the Center for Teaching Excellence, now the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL); and the Center for Writing Excellence (CWE). Currently these offices are housed in a hard-to-find location in the basement of Scott Quad, which is slated for conversion into residence hall space. And thus, the idea for a “Faculty Commons” to be housed in Alden library was born.

Importantly, the University’s strategic plan, Vision Ohio, emphasizes excellence in teaching undergraduate students, and the purpose of CAT, CTE, and CWE is to support and collaborate with faculty on best teaching practices, innovative classroom approaches, making the best of our students’ learning, as well as supporting research and scholarship, primarily the scholarship of teaching and learning. It seemed logical that a new and more convenient location for these units would increase the visibility and use of these important resources. Likewise, Alden Library’s IMTS, now known as Media Production, has a long history of supporting faculty teaching and scholarship needs by providing graphic art and multi-media creation services to faculty. In a move from the second to the third floor, Media Production will be a prominent member of the Faculty Commons as well.

The success of the Student Learning Commons gives us hope that bringing together faculty in a similarly conceived space where they can find support for their teaching and scholarship as well as a place to relax and share a cup of coffee, will meet some previously unmet needs of the faculty. Many academic libraries are reinventing themselves, and while continuing to provide traditional resources like books, journals, study space, and reference services, they are becoming centers for many types of academic services. And why not? Libraries are “neutral territory” and belong to everyone; they are open long hours; and they are focused on student and faculty success. The synergies between library services and other academic activities are obvious. We welcome the Faculty Commons, and you, to the third floor of Alden Library.

By Julia Zimmerman