On the University of Alabama campus, teachers and students can find themselves in state of the art buildings costing nearly $60 million or others with book values of barely a million dollars.

“There are things we need for nontraditional study space, especially for campaign students in the [Advertising and Public Relations] department,” said Joseph Phelps, the chairman of the Department. “For projects like the LessThanUThink efforts and the child obesity efforts, they need a place that they can access at all hours of the night. There is certainly the need for some space. It is a good atmosphere now, but it could be better.”

Although some people may think space is the key component in improving learning conditions around campus, others believe that several factors need to go into the endeavor. While some buildings on campus flourish, such as Shelby Hall, with its book value of almost $60 million, others are getting nicknames for their poor conditions.

“There are a whole bunch of factors that figure into this subject,” said John Beeler, a professor in the history department. “One is that Shelby Hall has been built with federal money, so to some extent, the University doesn’t have a choice. The money was allocated for a science building, and at the beginning of its construction, that is probably where the money needed to go.

“The second point is, of course, that with the massive increase of enrollment, there has been this incredible crunch for classroom space. I mean they have to come up with various expedients, but ultimately, it’s going to require more space.”

In addition to his first two points, Beeler pinpointed a key component as to why some college facilities are better renovated, unlike ten Hoor, which he refers to as “the Pukehole.”

“The third point is that, yes, there is a clear disparity between the wealthier schools and not as wealthy,” Beeler said. “The business school, for example, has great facilities. Just walk over to Bruno and you will see that. They have successful alumni that give back to their alma mater.

People who come out with philosophy majors or history majors are almost never going to be millionaires. I joke with my history majors who plan on going on to law school that when they are deciding where to give back, it’s the Pukehole that needs the money, not the law school.”

Ten Hoor holds a book value of only $3 million. However, Beeler also pointed out that with the current limitations, the College of Arts and Sciences has done a remarkable job making do.

In alliance with some teachers, there are students who believe certain buildings on campus have poor learning conditions and that these atmospheres take away from the subject matter.

“I definitely think the condition of the classroom, as far as space and structure, make a big difference in my learning experience,” said Erin Murphy, a student pursuing a graduate degree in education. “Whether the room temperature is comfortable or at least bearable or whether I am crammed next to another student affects me. There has even been an instance where I was in class, and a piece of tile fell from the ceiling. Now, I am constantly glancing up at the ceiling in the building because I am afraid a piece is going to fall right on me.”