Business as usual

The economy is struggling and college graduates are left scrambling for jobs -- but business is booming on university grounds across the nation.\nIn pursuing recognition as technological leaders, institutions are pumping money into their business schools. Campuses are under construction as innovative buildings emerge, advancing business education and benefiting both students and universities.\nAt Oregon University's Charles H. Lundquist College of Business, construction is underway on the Lillis Business Complex, a $40-million project that should set the standard for business schools around the nation said Oregon's Business College Dean Phil Romero in a press release.\nOregon's Associated Dean of the business college, Chris Murray, said with the current facility being the oldest in the Pac 10, the school wants to send a new message.\n"We're a place that's going forward, that's vital and on the cutting edge," Murray said. "We have a fabulous faculty and opportunities, but you can't do that in a shed."\nAlso building forward is the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, which has nearly completed its John M. Huntsman Hall -- a massive $120-million academic center that the school hopes will be the world's most advanced facility when it opens.\nThe technology offered in classrooms at the Huntsman Hall will allow students and teachers to interact in a completely wired environment, with power to each desk, multiple-screen classrooms and teleconferencing abilities; just a few of many advances, said Wharton Chief Information Officer Gerry McCartney in a recent press release.\nHere in Indiana, both Purdue University and IU are also in the process of business school evolution.\nAt Purdue, the Krannert School of Management is awaiting the completion of Rawls Hall, a $35-million project that was cited in Architectural Portfolio magazine.\n"We're on the leading edge of how education will be conducted tomorrow," said Mike Lillich, a Purdue University spokesman. "It's more wireless. We also have teleconferencing. Mr. Rawls could be set up in his office talking to students from Silicon Valley."\nBecause business students often study in teams, the hallways of the Rawls Hall will be infrared wireless, allowing for students to network at any time. Lillich said the classrooms are also very interactive so professors have more resources and teaching can be more dynamic.\n"It's the antithesis of the lecture, which goes way back to medieval times," Lillich said. "That's a very outmoded way of teaching."\nIU's business school is making some improvements of its own.\nAccording to the Kelley School Office of Development Web site (www.kelley.iu.edu/development) the new Graduate Executive and Education Center, a $35-million facility, will provide an unparalleled learning environment that will match the school's international reputation. \n"It's a technological marvel," said Dan Dalton, dean of the Kelley School. "We have a laptop in every station, all common areas are wireless, we are able to use telecommunications technology, and we have information systems labs."\nDalton said the early stages of development occurred at a very opportune time, with an extremely unfavorable economic situation that was to follow.\n"If there was no building would I feel comfortable asking the University to raise 35 million? No," Dalton said. "We were very fortunate to be in a beneficial environment when the commitment was made and to raise the necessary funds."\nFunding came from a partnership between the state and the University. While the state invested $12 million, Kelley was left to raise the remainder of the bill that came from alumni and corporate partners over the course of three years, Dalton said.\nMore additions to improve the Kelley School are in the works. The current structure will be renovated to match the advanced technology of the Center, and construction of five lecture halls is planned for the fall, Dalton said.\n"In doing that, we will have world class facilities in both the graduate and undergraduate curriculum," he said.