Loyola opens ‘Flex Lab’ to Accommodate for More Lab Space

By Husna Afzal | February 9, 2019

GREAT NEWS for all of us science students… Loyola is planning to create new labs to be utilized by students from various science majors on North Broadway Street, between Bar 63 and the Life Storage building.

Turns out, Loyola had bought this building in 2011, but it was just used as a storage area until it was torn down this summer. Now, plans are undergoing to construct additional lab space to house students from different science departments. The construction has begun the last week, and the final building is expected to be finished by this July according to Peter Schlecht, the Assistant VP for campus planning.

This has been such an important construction plan, as there has been increasing need for more lab space over the past few years. The estimated cost of the lab is about $4.7 million and will be at 6335 N. Broadway St. Because it is a ‘flex’ lab, it won’t be restricted; thus, it won’t limit or exclude any of the sciences.

We have such a high enrollment in the science department here at Loyola, so having this flexible lab will make things at Loyola much easier and give the science department much more ease in accommodating large number of students.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that multiple departments of the sciences will inter-clash — scheduling for lab use and which courses will take over will be all planned out.

The goal is to make this easier for students and faculty members, but also encourage interdisciplinary research and learning among our science department. Hopefully, this building will allow students to work among different fields aside from their won and learn from each other with this new cooperative learning environment.

Some argue that its great that Loyola is investing a new flex lab to accommodate for these spaces, however, there are other things the money should go towards, especially if these facilities already exist.

It may be awhile before labs can actually be used, but this is a good direction the University is headed towards creating more integrated spaces for students and faculty members which will hopefully encourage learning and research opportunities.