ADA Instructional Lab: Lewis Hall 013
Description of Request
Submitted By: Diane Debinski, Ecology Department HEad
The lack of ADA accessible instructional labs is an ongoing issue in Lewis Hall. The
Office of Disability
Services, Registrar’s Office, and effected faculty and departments must address accessibility
concerns each
semester. As the institution’s enrollment continues to grow, so does the need for
accommodations each
semester. There are several instructional labs within Lewis Hall that are inaccessible
as there is no elevator
in the building, which facilitates the need for a number of course relocations and
lab alternative solutions to
be identified each term. For the spring of 2023, at least 7 courses will need to be
moved from Lewis Hall
due to ADA concerns.
The basement of Lewis Hall, which was previously occupied by the non-human primate
research group and
Cell Biology & Neuroscience, is currently vacant and provides opportunities to accommodate
the request
for an ADA accessible lab space in much closer proximity than previously available.
The Lewis basement is
accessible through the adjoining Tietz Hall, with doors that have handicap accessible
buttons, and
accessible restrooms. After viewing the space, the University Facilities team, University
Architect, Planning
Manager, Office of Disability Services, and Department of Ecology believe it is possible
to retrofit Lewis
Hall 013 to be used as an instructional lab that could accommodate Ichthyology and
Ornithology labs for
Spring 2023 and similar needs in the future. This request requires the committee to
approve the change-in-use of this space, as it is currently designated as graduate
student space.
Resolution
Date: December 2, 2022
Space Management Committee has approved the allocation of Lewis Hall 013 for use as an ADA accessible lab.