On the Earth, in the Environment

Message from Senior Associate to the Dean, Eddie Guerra, Ph.D.

The last 6 months have been a whirl-wind of activity as the School of Earth and Environment and its three departments moved into the new Discovery Hall building.  While the process of moving 3 departments along with the dean’s suite, while simultaneously preparing the building for occupancy and instruction, was certainly challenging, we are now able to take a breath and fully acknowledge the many benefits of the new space.  Discovery Hall is an amazing resource for the University as a whole, providing state-of-the art classrooms not only for the School of Earth and Environment, but for the College of Science & Mathematics and departments from other Colleges.  Discovery Hall is a shared resource for the benefit of our entire community.

The School of Earth Environment is located on the 2^nd floor, in Suite 218.  Here you will find Dean Lacovara’s office, my office, and the offices of the three department chairs that comprise our School.  The faculty offices for the Department of Geography, Planning, & Sustainability are located on the first floor, while the faculty offices for the Departments of Geology and Environmental Science are located on the 3^rd floor.  The close proximity of the Dean’s office and the chairs allows for quick problem solving, while the co-presence of our faculty facilitates cohesion and collaborative scholarship.

Over the past months, I’ve observed the building’s classrooms in high demand and regular use, from early morning to late evening.  The classrooms are easily configured to support a variety of instructional needs.  The large, sunlit atria on the first and second floors are always bustling with students, and the sunlight and air that fills the space are truly uplifting and add to the excellent gathering environment for students and faculty.  There are also many spots for students to gather throughout the building, including hallway lounge nooks and study rooms that are available on a first-come, first-served basis without a reservation needed.  There is even an outdoor amphitheater and art installation (Time Sweeps) that provide amazing settings for classic collegiate gatherings.  I myself have taught astronomy classes in these outdoor spaces, so I know first hand their potential.  I am more than happy to help other faculty explore these instructional spaces. 

My goal for next semester is to continue our efforts to be an accessible, open, and supportive School for our faculty, staff, and students.   To this end, I welcome any of our constituencies to stop by to chat with me about their needs and experiences.  Though I will always make sure communications flow through appropriate departmental channels, please know that I am also always available to listen and help figure out solutions – no matter what the issue might be.