Students get sneak peek at new J-School
Anderson Hall set to open its doors to students this Fall

By Rachel Cook and James Laber
J-School Web Reporters

photo by Will Moss

The Native Center, located on the third floor, is one of many impressive features of the new Anderson Hall journalism building.

Students who got their first look at Don Anderson Hall last month marveled at the sleek new building’s contrast to the current journalism facilities.

“Going into the old journalism building is like going into a war zone,” said Ashley Klein, a freshman pre-journalism major. “Everything is everywhere and the stairs are treacherous.”

The University of Montana School of Journalism’s new $13.5 million building is nearing completion, and the first classes will convene there in the fall semester.

With its sea-foam green walls and track lighting, the new building has a spacious feel. Four stories and a basement house everything a journalism school could possibly need, including a green room for broadcast majors, a darkroom for photojournalists, and kitchenette for Kaimin staffers.

The basement contains a massive boiler room, the aforementioned darkroom, three large classrooms and bright purple lockers.

On the main floor is a large studio for television production, a computer lab, and the green room. The green room has sinks, mirrors and more purple lockers.

The Kaimin offices dominate the second floor. With more than double its current square footage, the student newspaper's main office will have room for 20 reporting desks as opposed to the current seven in the old journalism building.  It will also have a conference room for meetings and conducting interviews, an editor’s office, a design wing, and most importantly a kitchenette with a full size fridge. 

photo by Carol Van Valkenburg

This 1920s sign hanging outside the new Montana Kaimin office, comes from the Fairview News, a Montana paper that closed in 1984. It was donated by Kevin Boehler, in memory of his father Virgil Boehler, publisher of The Sidney Herald and the Butte Weekly.

“We returning Kaiminites are going to have our work cut out for us making the new office look respectable like (the old office) with all its stains,” said Alex Sakariassen, a junior in print journalism and arts reporter for the Kaimin.

“It's unnatural to have that many windows in the Kaimin office and to not have basement access through the windows,” said Eleena Fikhman, a senior in photojournalism and design editor for the Kaimin. “It’s nice and I think it will motivate people.”

The Kaimin business office also gets an upgrade.  It has more room and desks as well. A walk-up window for ads, reminiscent of a concession stand, opens to the hallway.

“I’ll have a hot dog with sauerkraut, a large popcorn and a PBR,” joked Russ Curry, a junior in R-TV, as he walked by the window. “I bet they’ll get sick of that real quick.”

In the northwest corner of the second floor is the A. B. Guthrie reading room. Complete with couches and big windows, the room is a place for students to go and relax between classes. Next to the reading room is the dean’s office and reception area.

The third floor has arguably the most striking room on campus, the Native American Center. The room will be used for several classes, including the Native News Honors Project. It has a stone-tiled floor with a fossilized fish centerpiece, and wooden trusses circle the classroom, representing the reservations of Montana.

“It's nice to see (the new building) pay homage to Montana heritage,” said Bill Oram, a sophomore in print journalism and sports reporter for the Kaimin.

The east portion of the third floor houses eight broadcast recording rooms and a studio with an orange floor.

The fourth floor will encompass mostly faculty offices, with a faculty conference room connected to a balcony. Unfortunately for students, they will not be allowed to use the balcony.

“That’s essentially an unsecured area and we’re not going to allow unfettered access out there,” said Carol Van Valkenburg, chair of the print department.

Students on the tour appreciated the beauty and scope of the new building, but will miss the charm and character of the old.

“(Anderson Hall) is very sterile,” said Fikhman. “When we took the tour I thought it looked like a hospital.”

Some seniors expressed regret at not being able to enjoy the new building.

“I feel bad I’m graduating,” said Eric Jochim, a senior in R-TV production. “I would have liked to have class here.”

Many returning students and Kaimin staff are eager to move into the new building next Fall.

“(Anderson Hall) is totally sexy,” said Sean Breslin, a junior in print and news editor of the Kaimin. “It sounds weird but I really like the bathrooms.”

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