You may have noticed recent construction activity in the Duderstadt Center. That’s because we have undertaken renovations on all four floors of the building to qualify for status as a classroom building under the standards of the State of Michigan Bureau of Fire Services (BFS). Our building has recently been approved as meeting BFS requirements for formal classroom uses on the 2nd and 3rd Floors, which can now be used to provide instruction toward credit for a degree.
BFS states that their mission is, “To provide for the protection of persons and property from exposure to the dangers of fire through inspection and fire prevention…” Working with U-M Architecture, Engineering and Construction Services, and the State of Michigan, the Office of the Provost has provided funding enabling us to make the improvements for meeting BFS standards as a classroom building (where a for-credit course meets at least every-other-week or more often).
There is still more construction ongoing in the DC to help us meet the same classroom standards on the 1st Floor and the Lower Level. When completed, we will apply for and anticipate approval for classroom status for designated spaces on those floors as well.
Now, the many technical resources of the Duderstadt Center can be more fully applied in the classroom setting, as well as our studios and lab spaces, answering a request made by many faculty in recent years.
Kati Bauer
Interim Chief Operating Officer, Duderstadt Center
Senior Counselor to the Vice Provost for Academic Innovation
Instructors: Advanced Training Labs 1 and 2, and Flex Labs A and B, on the 3rd floor, are now available for regularly-scheduled credit course, classroom-use, needing access every-other-week or more frequently.
- For space descriptions see: Advanced Training Labs & Flex Labs.
- For inquiries: use the “Classroom Reservation Request for Courses” form. Your request will be reviewed and you will be contacted regarding availability.
- Deadline for requests for Winter Semester 2022, is October 15, 2021.
This post is part of an ongoing series:
The History of the DC Has Always Been About the Future
Since the opening of the Duderstadt Center 25 years ago, the role of emerging digital technologies has continued to change the way we teach, learn, and conduct research at the U-M. Each year, the Office of the Provost provides significant funding to enable DC facilities and staff to acquire technology resources and support the development of best practices for their use in the university’s mission. Specialized software applications essential to many disciplines, advanced XR/VR/AR technologies and gear for design and for data visualization, 3D fabrication equipment, and advanced media production resources for the arts, are just a few examples. During our 25th Anniversary year we will feature stories of how the concept of the DC and its history has always been about preparing for the future.