Do you remember teachers asking you that question when you returned to school after summer? It’s a classic first day of class activity no matter what grade level.  I like to ask that question of my new students as an ice breaker on the first day of class.  Why?  I like hearing about the awesome trips they took, concerts they went to, tight spots they got themselves into, and generally enjoying seeing their enthusiasm when talking about the summer.

You may be surprised to know that COM faculty like to talk about their summers too. They travel to exotic locales, write articles, collect data, spend time with family, and generally prep for the coming year.   Summer is the best time to prepare for teaching.  Some faculty are preparing for a new class this fall, while others are revising their power point slides or adding new movie or tv clips.  Still others are adding online elements and activities to their courses.  I encourage you to ask faculty what they did with their summer break when you return to campus.

There is much change going on in Craig hall this summer.  If you are a frequent inhabitant of Craig hall, you spend lots of time in classrooms on the 3rd floor–those 1970s decorated rooms with blackboards in some rooms, water-stained or missing ceiling tiles, and the the oh-so-lovely “burlap wallpaper.”  You know, that stuff your hair sticks to when you sit on the back row or something you pick at when sitting next to the wall.

This summer, all the 3rd floor classrooms are being remodeled and the burlap wallpaper is now officially removed!  Here are the pictures to prove it.

[singlepic=28,320,240,,right]

Here are the “during construction” pictures of Craig 337.

All the rolls on the floor are the burlap wallpaper and the tubes hanging from above is the ductwork (they pulled all the old ceiling tiles off so the ducts are hanging).  Notice the floor tiles are removed as well.  Hard to believe!

When you return in August, all the classrooms will be updated with white walls, and an accent grey wall.    You may walk into a room and not know where you are.  I’ll post some more progress pictures later in the summer and you’ll see even more changes!

Keep enjoying your summer.

Kelly Wood