The Genetic Counseling Program completed its move from the Kalman science building into the renovated upper floor of the Gerstenzang Library over the summer. When the plan was first revealed last year, Prof. Judith Tsipis (BIOL) said that the library space would include offices for the Genetic Counseling Program faculty, a dedicated classroom for the program, a commons area and a conference room. Tsipis confirmed that all these renovations have taken place. University Provost Marty Krauss wrote in an e-mail to the Justice that classes for the Genetic Counseling Program will take place on the upper floor of Gerstenzang this fall.

The Genetic Counseling Program is a two-year Master of Science degree program that focuses on "providing students with a solid scientific background, knowledge of counseling techniques and awareness of the social and ethical issues in human genetics today," according to the program's Web site.

For the 2009 to 2010 academic year, the program will consist of 23 students, including 12 second-year students and 11 first-year students, according to Tsipis.

Due to its deteriorating condition, the Kalman science building will be demolished between January and April 2010, according to Feldman in an e-mail to the Justice. The great nephew of Julius Kalman filed an injunction against the University May 7 to prevent the demolition of the building, alleging that such an act would go against his great uncle's will. Both parties reached a settlement Aug. 18.

Krauss wrote that part of the newly renovated upper floor of the Gerstenzang library will be used as a graduate study center. "We have a large increase in the number [of] Masters-level students on campus this fall, and we wanted to provide better support systems for them," she wrote in the e-mail.

Krauss confirmed that the lower level of the Gerstenzang library will still function as a library.

Vice Provost for Libraries and Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Perry Hanson explained that all books that were previously housed on the upper floor are now accommodated on the lower floor of Gerstenzang and in the Goldfarb Library.

Hanson said that scientific journals, which were previously housed on the upper floor, have been accommodated elsewhere according to whether the journals are available online.

Upon seeing the completed facility, Tsipis said "Our space in Kalman was ... hideous, and people were all over the place in terms of space. And now we have a lovely, lovely center where we can teach our students."



-Destiny Aquino and Brian Fromm contributed reporting