By Kaitlin Andorfer

The English Department is getting adjusted to their new home in Mason Hall after a recent move from Calkins Hall.

Mason Hall was previously home to the School of Education, which relocated to Hagerdorn Hall. The main reason for the move was because of lack of space in Calkins Hall due to the significant expansion of the English Department in the last few years, Dr. Paula Uruburu, chair of the department, said. Calkins could no longer accommodate the nearly one hundred full and part time faculty members.

The move came after significant renovations to Mason Hall for health safety reasons, more office space and accessibility improvements for those with disabilities.

“The building is a bright, open, happy space,” Uruburu said.

Careful thought was put into the way the building was laid out.

“We wanted to pay attention to the design of the building because we wanted to make it student friendly,” Gloria Hoovert, secretary to the chair, said. “It is set up so there are rooms for seminars, readings and for grad students to meet.”

Professors are really happy about the move and much needed space.

“We love it here! We’re all spread out and the space is great, the only downfall is that we were so close together in Calkins that we became a tight knit community and now that we’re not all crammed together we lost some of that community,” Carol Porr, assistant to director of composition, said.

The relocation to Mason Hall has allowed some professors who had to share one large room, to have their own office. Because professors are not piled on top of each other, it creates a more peaceful atmosphere and a better environment for them to meet with students and discuss questions or problems without the loud noise of Calkins.

Although most are happy about the move, there are a few drawbacks. Some professors liked the location of Calkins Hall better and a few adjunct professors are still forced to share a room divided by cubicles, an atmosphere reminiscent to Calkins Hall.

“It’s great if you want to have loud parties and you want everyone to listen to your conversation,” one professor said about her cubicle.

Students are also enjoying the new building and space as well.

“I like it because I’m not crammed in a room the size of an attic with 23 people anymore,” Sophie Dayan, a freshman film major, said.

In all, Uruburu said the move has been a huge success.

“We are grateful to have this new space and we’re planning to have an Open House as soon as we get a little more settled in.”

The English Department´s move to Mason Hall gives professors more office space and accomodations. (Harry Tanielyan/The Chronicle)