Photo courtesy of Matt Orton The latest addition to campus, University of Montevallo on Main, is a new building for the Behavioral and Social Sciences Department. It is the first university facility to be built on Main Street, and, according to professor Ruth Truss, it was the school’s way of making a stronger connection the campus and town.
While the members of the community may appreciate the closeness of UMOM, some students find its distance a challenge.
“I know a lot of people, especially those who live in New Res or Peck, who have quite a hike to get there,” said Connor Marullo. “Which can affect making sure you get to class on time.”
Other than the distance, Marullo is enjoying the new facility. “I feel it’s a needed expansion since Jeter, while being well-loved, was kind of dilapidated,” he said.
Jeter, the former home of the behavioral and social sciences department, faced several problems, including squirrels inhabiting the attic and not being handicap accessible.
Overall, the change seems to be a positive one. “Students seems to be enjoying it,” said Truss. “They’re using the lounge areas and computer labs quite a bit. It’s clean and fresh and seems to have been a very positive change for faculty.”
There has been mention that future campus expansions may also take place on Main Street. With the good reactions to UMOM, the university has more incentive to expand across Montevallo’s streets.
