Members Present: Shannon Willoughby – Co-Chair, Bill Freese, Jennisse Waters, Mac Burgess, Paul Edlund, Jacqueline Frank, Brad Haderlie, Rob Maher, Katie Ivester, Lenny Triem – ASMSU President

Proxies: Grant Petersen (for Richard Rudnicki – Co-Chair), Pamela Harvey (for Tony Campeau)

Staff & Guests: Robert Stockdale, Elizabeth Pritchard, Ashna Peters, Carter Dorsett

ITEM No.1 – Approval of June 11, 2025, Meeting Minutes

The minutes from the June 11, 2025, Classroom Committee meeting were unanimously approved.

ITEM No.2 – RECOMMENDATION – VCB Montana PBS Addition Lecture Hall

Robert Stockdale guided the committee through the design of the multi-purpose classroom that is to be constructed as part of the Montana PBS addition to the Visual Communications Building. Robert explained that the 198-seat room will feature 10.4 square feet per seat, an area that is below the standard set by the MSU Classroom Design Guidelines. Robert noted that other large classrooms on campus feature a similar square footage per seat. Robert stated that due to the non-standard area per seat, the Classroom Committee is being asked to approve the 198-seat capacity of the room.

Rob Maher asked if the room would be classified as a registrar-controlled classroom. Grant Petersen replied that the room will be considered a “registrar-accessible classroom,” meaning that it will be maintained and managed by Montana PBS, while being available for academic use by the university through the registrar’s office.

Rob Maher asked if there was a required need for 198 seats, or if the room could feature fewer seats to allow for a more comfortable arrangement that would more closely conform to the classroom design standards. Grant Petersen answered that the multi-purpose nature of the room is the determining factor for its density and that the maximization of seating allows for the room to be used for Montana PBS events as well as for campus- and community-based events. Grant added that the room’s ability to function as a studio-space is also benefitted by having a higher seating capacity.

Rob Maher asked what material the floor surface will be composed of and how it would impact the room’s acoustics. Ashna Peters answered that the floor will be polished concrete, but that the walls and ceiling will have acoustic paneling to address sound issues. Grant Petersen added that the concrete floor was chosen to allow for cameras and other equipment to be moved about when the room is used as a studio. Grant also explained that the room will feature a high-quality audio-visual system, so increased consideration to both acoustics and lighting have been applied to the design of the room.

Brad Haderlie wondered whether there had been consideration of how to manage winter jackets, which take up seating space and thus impact the space available for students. Ashna Peters replied that there have been discussions about managing winter coats and boots in the room, but that no solutions have been agreed upon. Brad suggested that a coat rack could be effective, and it could possibly be stored in an adjacent tech room. Ashna stated that she will bring the coat rack idea to the design team to consider alongside other potential solutions.

Shannon Willoughby asked about the size of the writing tablets attached to the seats, noting that they appear rather small in the design drawings. Ashna Peters answered that the tablets will be larger than depicted in the drawing, and that the design team is currently working with vendors to source writing tablets that can accommodate laptops. The committee then discussed how students utilize writing tablet space.

Katie Ivester asked about the distance between the rows of seats and whether it would be difficult for students to maneuver to the seats in the center of the rows. Grant Petersen replied that the arrangement of the seating has been manufacturer-driven. Grant explained that the design team has turned down multiple vendors due to their seating products lacking properly sized chairs and writing tablets or for uncomfortable seating arrangements. Grant added that the seating in this classroom has been very much influenced by faculty and student feedback regarding Inspiration Hall.

Jennisse Waters raised the question of whether the building code requires intermediate landings among the rows of tiered seating. Grant Petersen noted that the seating, when fully extended, is accessible from the top as well, which will provide another means of egress, but that the design team is working with state code officials to resolve any possible issues.

Mac Burgess asked if the room could feature tables rather than writing tablets. Grant Petersen answered that the multi-purpose nature of the room and the retractable seating have defined the furniture selection and overall design, but that in a regular classroom the design would be much different and would likely feature tables rather than individual writing tablets.

Carter Dorsett asked about accessibility options in the classroom. Grant Petersen replied that there will be accessible spaces at the upper and lower levels of the room, with both locations providing adequate space for wheelchairs or other needed equipment.

Brad Haderlie stated that the design consultants for the classroom have asked for guidance as to whether the room needs to feature video conferencing that can capture audio from within the entire room. Brad explained that this technology was installed in a number of classrooms during and following COVID, but that there has been no official policy as to whether new classrooms should incorporate such a system. Grant Petersen replied that this topic would benefit from focused consideration by the Classroom Committee to help guide university policy.

Grant Petersen moved to approve the capacity of the Montana PBS multi-purpose classroom, with a note that the design team shall continue to consider the size of the writing tablets, the spacing of the seating, the locations of aisles and access points, and logistics for storage.

Rob Maher seconded the motion.

The motion was approved unanimously.

ITEM No.3 – RECOMMENDATION –Reid Hall Classroom Renovation Update

Robert Stockdale provided the committee with the latest design updates for the Reid Hall classroom renovations that are scheduled for the summers of 2026 and 2027. Robert specified that these recent designs provide Reid 103 with two fewer seats, Reid 105 with one additional seat, and Reid 126 with one less seat than had been approved by the Classroom Committee at the June 2025 meeting. Elizabeth Pritchard added that the change in capacity to Reid 103 was a result of the decision to arrange the seating so that no demolition would be necessary, thus reducing the cost of construction and keeping the project within budget.

Rob Maher asked if the stage in Reid 103 would be removed. Elizabeth Pritchard confirmed that it would be removed, as would the raised platform in Reid 105.

Brad Haderlie asked if the chairs in Reid 103 would be fixed to the tables. Elizabeth Pritchard responded that the tables would be fixed in place, but the seats would be unattached.

Lenny Triem moved to approve the updated changes in capacity to Reid 103, Reid 105, and Reid 126.

Jacqueline Frank seconded the motion.

The motion was approved unanimously.

ITEM No.4 – OPEN DISCUSSION

Jennisse Waters updated the committee on the status of the 2025 classroom renovations. Jennisse stated that Cobleigh 429, Linfield 113, and Herrick 117 would be ready for use by the start of the fall semester. Jennisse noted that the furniture for the rooms in Cobleigh Hall and Linfield Hall had yet to be delivered, so the rooms will use their pre-renovation furniture until the new pieces arrive. Jennisse then informed the committee that Leon Johnson 346 and Roberts 101 would not be completed until December, but that they will be available for the spring semester. Jennisse added that the work on Roberts 101 includes an update to an adjacent restroom that will make it fully accessible. Jennisse mentioned that a pre-renovation survey about the rooms was conducted with students and faculty, and that a post-renovation survey would follow once the spaces have been occupied.

Elizabeth Pritchard stated that the American Indian Hall outdoor classroom was progressing, with the boulders that will make up the seating area now being placed. Elizabeth noted that good relations have been maintained with the building residents throughout the construction process, and that the building team has prioritized access to the Buffalo Nation’s gardens.

Grant Petersen walked the committee through the latest updates to construction projects currently underway on campus. Grant stated that the bus loop at the SUB and the roundabout at the intersection of Grant St. and 7th Ave are now being paved, placing the Grant Street project ahead of its scheduled completion date of October 31st. Grant added that the fencing around that project area will be moved before the start of the semester to allow for better circulation through campus. Grant then briefly discussed the work on Paisely Court, Grant Chamberlain, the indoor athletic center, Gianforte Hall, and Jones Hall.

Rob Maher asked if there was an update on the Cobleigh Hall façade work. Grant replied that the contractor is working to complete the north side of the building, and that they will next move on to the east side to complete the removal of the concrete eyebrows. Grant noted that there would also be additional work on the roof, but that it should not be as disruptive.

The August 2025 meeting of the Classroom Committee adjourned at 3:54 PM.