Smith School Expands to Former Public Policy Wing

Now that UMD’s School of Public Policy has moved out of Van Munching Hall for new digs across campus, the Smith School has the go-ahead from the university to take over the vacated wing of the building. The Smith School’s plan is to create three new state-of-the-art active learning classrooms in the former Public Policy section of the building, and a new virtual classroom studio in the original wing of the building.

Demolition began in June to prepare the spaces for the new active learning classrooms, which typically involve additional technology plus flexible furniture options and whiteboard spaces to accommodate small group work among students.

The phased renovation will also create several new student-centered spaces to include open learning areas, team rooms, dedicated spaces for Business Master’s and undergraduate students, a new lab for the Mayer and Senbet funds, spaces for the Smith Undergraduate Student Association and Smith Master Student Association, as well as relocated and expanded space for some centers of excellence.

The planning committee for this project is also working to unify the aesthetic of the first and second floors in all wings to create a cohesive and modern-looking Smith School in Van Munching Hall.