Let’s get down to business
Written by Brianne Goplen Tuesday, 02 February 2010 08:00
With the expansion of NDSU’s campus into downtown Fargo, students have had to make adjustments to the change of atmosphere. After a semester of use, students have developed their opinions on Richard H. Barry Hall – some positive and some negative.
Barry Hall was opened in August 2009 to the anticipation of students and staff alike. Located at 811 2nd Ave. N., Barry Hall is home to the College of Business as well as the Departments of Agribusiness and Applied Economics. More than 4,000 students, faculty, and staff work, learn and study at the state-of-the-art facility.
The building layout consists of an open two-story atrium, a three-story classroom wing and a six-story faculty office tower, which includes offices of business professors and advisers. Classes offered at Barry Hall include all business classes, including agri-business classes.
There are many modern features of Barry Hall, from the open concept of the building to the newest classroom technology. Leisha Ouren, a senior majoring in business administration, said her favorite part of Barry Hall is the classrooms. “They are so open and comfortable, which makes going to class a little easier,” Ouren said.
The classrooms are not the only comfortable thing in Barry Hall. There are many quiet study rooms that allow students to get their work done in solitude.
If one is looking for a more open area to chat, there are small common areas on each floor, as well as one main common area that overlooks the atrium.
The computer lab, located on the second floor of the classroom wing, is very convenient for students that may not have access to computers at home.
One luxury (or for some students, necessity) that is also available at Barry Hall is a coffee shop similar to the ones present on NDSU’s main campus.
“It really helps that we have a coffee shop right in the building, so I don’t have to stop elsewhere before going to school,” Emily Oppegard, a junior majoring in business administration, said. The students that spend most of their day at Barry Hall can get their favorite cup of Gloria Jean’s coffee, as well as snacks and a few lunch items.
There are also branches of the NDSU bookstore and library, so students can take care of their needs all in one building. The bookstore has a limited selection of books, notebooks, clothing items and snacks. “We have everything all in one place, so I can get books or anything else if I need them without having to walk all over campus,” Ouren said.
Although the new building is appealing and convenient for many students, the downtown location has evoked many conflicting opinions.
Sam Partlow, a senior majoring in crop and weed sciences, said that his least favorite thing about Barry Hall is the downtown location. “I have two of my classes downtown, but the rest are at the main campus,” he said. “Barry Hall is a really nice place, but I wish it was on the main campus so I wouldn’t have to deal with the hassle of going back and forth between campuses.”
Ouren doesn’t mind the location, but her dilemma is the parking. “I can’t take the bus because I have to go straight to work from class, so I wish there was more parking for students.”
Even with these issues, students seem to have embraced the change. “I love the building, and I have all of my classes in this one building, so it’s nice not to have to walk outside a lot,” Oppegard said.
While some are still getting used to traveling downtown – out of their comfort zone – others are appreciating the brand new facility and the transition from the main campus.
