UMSN students in the front lobby of the new building.ANN ARBOR—University of Michigan School of Nursing students began the 2015-16 school year in a new building designed to foster engagement and prepare them as leaders who can transform health care.

“Every classroom and every space for clinical simulations, labs, lectures, studying and meetings was approached with the intention of enriching the learning experience for our students,” said Dean Kathleen Potempa. “They now have what it takes to become leading nursing scientists, educators and paradigm changers.”

The School of Nursing will host a grand opening of the new building 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18. It is open to the public.

Inside the new building
A vital component of a nursing student’s education is hands-on experience. The expanded and cutting-edge Clinical Learning Center at the School of Nursing now offers state-of-the-art anatomy and skills labs, exam rooms, standardized patient suites and high-fidelity manikins. U-M nursing faculty and staff teach all simulations as if they involve real-life patients with real medical and personal histories. After each exercise, students engage in group debriefing sessions to discuss their decisions and actions.

The technology-rich building has hybrid classrooms that allow faculty to lead traditional classes but also transform the spaces for collaboration and active learning in groups at digital media stations. With modular desks and group computing stations connected to front display screens, the “flipped classroom” models encourage student engagement and discourse, which leads to better understanding and retention of the material.

Students are able to create and share digital media and learning tools that inspire discussion and creative approaches not just in coursework, but in future areas of research. Videoconferencing equipment allows students to connect with nursing peers in India, Haiti and elsewhere.

“Health care is at a challenging time in this country and across the world,” Potempa said. “It is our responsibility and great privilege to provide the kind of educational environment that will position our students to be future scientists and leaders with the ability to address the most pressing health care concerns.”

Where is the new building located?
The address is 426 North Ingalls St. It is at the corner of North Ingalls and Kingsley, just north of the 400 North Ingalls St. location.

Why was a new building needed?
The School of Nursing is experiencing steady increases in student enrollment, and facilities were never sufficient for innovative learning. Although the school history traces back to 1891, this will be the first time in 124 years that nursing students have a building designed specifically for engaged nursing education.

What will happen to the 400 North Ingalls building?
It will remain in use for School of Nursing faculty and staff.

How should we refer to the buildings?
The new building will be called the School of Nursing. The other building will be referred to as 400 North Ingalls.

Is the new building eco-friendly?
Yes, a wide array of “green” features makes the building eligible for Silver LEED certification, a measure of environmentally conscious construction and usage. The project and design team incorporated numerous sustainability features into the design and construction. Examples include above-grade insulation, automatic lighting systems in most spaces, high-efficiency chillers and boilers, reduced water-flow plumbing fixtures, and an area of a green “living” roof. The location also features highly efficient irrigation and stormwater management, plus native shrubs and trees to enhance and protect the surrounding environment. During the construction process, crews diverted 180 tons of material for recycling.

How big is the new building?
It is 78,000 square feet. The Clinical Learning Center has 13,000 square feet.

How much did it cost?
The university approved $50 million in funds for the new building. Gifts to the new building from donors have generated more than $3.6 million for the School of Nursing’s endowment, including a $1.3 million endowment for the facility.