The Work Begins in the Classroom

What we asked

“What improvements to Loyola’s teaching and learning environments can best position us to remain competitive long into the future?”

— The central question posed to faculty during October 2023 listening sessions that shaped this effort

What we heard

In October 2023, Loyola faculty gathered in listening sessions as part of the Campus Plan process. Their feedback was direct, specific, and consistent, directly informing the approach to these upgrades.

Faculty told us they need:

• Flexibility above all. The ability to pivot from lecture to small-group work within a single class session without fighting the furniture or the room layout.
• Technology that works intuitively. Controls that are labeled clearly, AV systems that don’t require a workaround to operate, and robust Wi-Fi that supports every student in the room simultaneously.
• Unobstructed whiteboards. Structural constraints in existing buildings mean we can't solve it universally, but it is a design priority in every room where we have the flexibility to do so.
• Classrooms designed for how people actually teach. Four modalities defined the future-state vision: one person lecturing, one person demonstrating, students working in small groups, and whole-class discussion. Spaces need to support all four.
• Hybrid and HyFlex capability that actually functions. Current HyFlex setups were described as clunky. Faculty want systems that support in-person and distributed students without requiring heroic effort.
• Accessible spaces for all learners. Wheelchair accessibility and a broad approach to accessibility in design were identified as requirements, not afterthoughts.

Soundbites from Our Survey

“The best spaces have the greatest flexibility.”

“Technology and AV need to be intuitive. [Include] buttons with descriptions.”

“Consider a broad spectrum of accessibility issues in the design of learning environments.”

What’s being upgraded

Every classroom in the three-year plan receives upgrades based on its current condition and the specific needs of the programs that use it. Some rooms will receive all elements below while tiered, auditorium-style, and other fixed-configuration spaces may receive a subset.

Technology

Every upgraded classroom will meet Loyola’s modern standard configuration:

• Video projection, audio system, microphone and camera system
• Wireless presentation tools
• Control system with clear, labeled interface
• Computer and laptop connectivity
• Reliable, high-capacity Wi-Fi

Classrooms requiring specialized instruction may also receive smartboards, document cameras, or program-specific equipment.

Furniture and Finishes

• New carpet meeting university standard
• Fresh paint using a standardized color scheme with Loyola brand accent colors
• A fixed sit/stand podium with integrated technology interface
• A mobile lectern on casters
• New mobile chairs and tables on casters, enabling flexible room configuration for lecture, small-group work, or discussion formats

Active Classrooms in Crown Center

In addition to the standard upgrade program, two new Active classrooms are being built in Crown Center on the Lake Shore Campus. These rooms are purpose-designed for high-fidelity, technology-integrated pedagogy to support individual work, small-group engagement, and whole-class interaction simultaneously. They will feature fixed tables with in-table power accommodations alongside the full standard upgrade package.

Classroom Types at Loyola

As part of this project, Loyola is standardizing language around classroom modalities. Here’s what they mean in plain terms:

Flex

Movable tables and chairs. The room can be configured for lecture, small-group work, or discussion — sometimes all three within a single class session. This is the standard for most upgraded classrooms.

Active

Specialized technology and pod-style seating designed primarily for group work. These rooms support higher-fidelity pedagogical approaches with deeper technology integration at the group level.

Hybrid

These courses use a combination of online and in-person meetings during an academic term. Regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor(s) is required.

HyFlex

A classroom designed for simultaneous in-person and online participation. Students can attend physically or remotely — and the instructor teaches to both audiences at once. Cameras, microphones, and display systems are configured to make that possible.

Upgrade Schedule

Specific room lists and building-by-building details are available. View the full room list.

What Comes Next

This upgrade effort is iterative by design. In fall 2026, Loyola will survey faculty and students in upgraded classrooms to gather direct feedback on what’s working and what should inform years two and three of the plan.

That commitment to continuous improvement, informed by the people who use these spaces, is how Loyola ensures this investment supports excellent teaching and learning for the long term.

Part of a Larger Plan

This project is one piece of a broader institutional commitment to strengthening Loyola’s physical campus in service of its academic mission, alongside For the Greater Good, the University's Strategic Plan. Explore the full Campus Plan to understand the priorities, process, and progress driving these decisions.

Explore the full Campus Plan    View the full schedule