The department of agriculture and environmental sciences relocated to the Onstead Science Center, inciting expansion within the department.

Formerly located in the Hardin Administration building, the relocation will bring the department closer to available equipment and resources from related sciences. Students and faculty have access to additional office spaces, classrooms and a larger lounge space.

This classroom on the second floor in the newly rennovated Onstead Sciene Center can be seen from the perspective of a professor. (Photo by Allayna Ford)

“It’s a great opportunity for ideas to be bounced off each other in the hallways in very casual and formal kinds of conversations,” said Dr. Greg Straughn, dean of the college of arts and sciences. “The benefit of sharing spaces with people who are related to your discipline is very important.”

The political science and criminal justice department also relocated to the second floor of the Hardin Administration building.

Dr. Neal Coates, chair of the department of political science and criminal justice, said the new space is double the size of the previous area.

The area includes a study room, extra classrooms, club rooms open to students and featured paraphernalia of alumni, local politicians and collections from James Garfield and Ted Poe.

“When you have more usable space that people enjoy being in, it’s attractive to future students and their parents,” said Coates.