By Colt Langley/managing editor
With construction currently under way, the TR East Campus is on schedule to open for classes next fall.
Vice chancellor of real estate and facilities Nina Petty said plans for external (plaza, sidewalks, parking and walkways) and internal spaces are still to be completed.
“Construction is six to seven months from completion, and then we prepare for move-in with furniture over the summer to prepare for classes in the fall,” Petty said.
TR Campus President Tahita Fulkerson said programs such as nursing and other selected programs will be on the campus.
“The nursing program is being relocated from the South Campus, and selected allied health programs from the NE Campus,” Fulkerson said.
Fulkerson said a dean and two directors will also make the move to TR East.
Dr. Woody Kageler, NE director of health sciences, will be one of the directors moving to TR East Campus.
Kageler said he and other faculty had a hand in designing the new classrooms.
“We helped with planning all of our facilities,” Kageler said. “We had input in designing labs and classrooms.”
Kageler also said the new facilities will benefit students.
“The move is going to provide a lot more space in the labs and classrooms and will have modern teaching equipment,” he said.
Although Kageler said it is still too early for his department to be ready to move, associate professor of health information technology Renison Babulal said his program could be ready soon because he has only computers to move.
“It’s easy for us to relocate. We don’t have a lot of equipment to move,” Babulal said.
Babulal also said the move will serve both students and the Fort Worth community better than before.
“We’re excited about the move and the programs,” he said. “We think it will serve the hospital district and will benefit students. I think our primary goal as a district is to meet the needs of the underserved.”
