LOGAN – Utah State University is hoping the legislature in its current session will approve funds to build a center for languages and culture on campus.
Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHaSS) Joe Ward said right now language classes are held all over campus.
”And that’s really my driving point of this proposal, is to bring all of our languages together, with our intensive English Language Institute which serves international students,” Ward said. “So, we think this is going to make it much more convenient for the students to interact with each other, and with their faculty.”
Dean Ward said there is a thriving dual immersion program in Utah schools at the K-12 level.
”Increasing numbers of students are going to come to campus already having achieved fairly high proficiency.
“But once they’re on campus they are going to want opportunities to push that proficiency and to maintain that proficiency to match it up with whatever major they may have. So we’re really excited about this opportunity.”
Ward said it will be built on the site where a parking lot sits south of Old Main.
USU has requested $14.5 million of the $17 million building costs, the balance coming from private donations.
It will be named the Mehdi Heravi Global Teaching and Learning Center after an Iranian-born CHaSS alumni who has given generously to USU in both his name and his father’s name.
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