more open, user-friendly atmosphere is greeting students in MEAM's newly
remodeled and reorganized Academic Services Office (ASO).
A major renovation of the space in 2206 G.G. Brown, completed in December 1997,
combines all Undergraduate and Graduate Programs staff members in one place.
Now, Associate Professor Michael Thouless, undergraduate program chair, as well as
Professor Christophe Pierre, graduate programs chair, are located in the ASO. In addition,
two new positions were created to offer increased assistance to students, including an
undergraduate peer counselor, Scott Partridge (see cover story), and a graduate student
recruitment coordinator, Carla Curley.
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Overall, the space has been expanded, giving it a more open feel, including a larger
central area for students. "We've tried to create a nice, friendly environment for
students to seek help, advice, and guidance," says Pierre. "And by keeping the
Undergraduate and Graduate programs in a single location, we believe we can provide better
support and services for students."
The proximity of the two programs will also allow the staffs to work more closely,
says Pierre. "For example, we're establishing a joint bachelor's/master's degree. And we
can better help our best undergraduates, many of whom take graduate courses in their
senior year."
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