The Central Pool Classroom system comprises approximately 200 classrooms in 29 buildings throughout Penn’s campus. The Pool classrooms are primarily used for undergraduate and graduate classes, although a large number of events, student activities, and conferences and community groups also use the facilities. Pool classrooms are available for any class offered at the University, regardless of the school by which it is offered.
For more information about each building, please click here. For general information about the Central Pool Classroom space types, see below. For our most recent strategic projects and design initiatives, please see Strategic Renovation Projects.
About Central Pool Classroom Space Types and Capabilities:
General Classrooms:
- To be Updated
Seminar Rooms:
- Often include a conference-style table were all students and instructors gather around
Auditoriums:
- There are currently 19 auditorium spaces in the Central Pool, ranging from 67 seats to 406 seats and several sizes in between.
- Auditorium spaces in the Central Pool currently include fixed tablet arm student seating
SAIL Classrooms:
- SAIL (Structured, Active, In-Class Learning) classrooms are designed to support structured, in-class activities in which students work to solve problems, interpret data or evidence, or otherwise engage in real practices in the discipline. SAIL classrooms typically have students seated at tables, working in groups, with instructors circulating and guiding the process.
- There are currently 3 SAIL Classrooms in the Central Pool: David Rittenhouse Laboratory A5 & 3N1H, and Fagin 214.
- SAIL Classrooms Provided by the Schools and Centers include Levin Building 111 (School of Arts and Sciences), Vagelos Laboratories 2000 (School of Arts and Sciences), and Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center Collaborative Classroom (Penn Libraries)
- For more information about the SAIL initiative and how you can integrate active learning strategies into your course, see the information provided by Penn’s Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Innovation.
The scheduling, operation, maintenance, and improvement of these classrooms is a collaborative effort involving:
Central Pool Classroom Collaborators
| Office of the Provost | provides funding |
| Provost’s Classroom Facilities Review Committee | provides direction and sets priorities |
| Provost Administrative Affairs | oversees renovation efforts and manages day-to-day maintenance |
| Facilities and Real Estate Services | provides project management services for renovation efforts |
| Office of the University Registrar | manages the scheduling of courses |
| University Life Space and Events | manages scheduling of events |
| Classroom Technology Services | oversees the installation and maintenance of technology and provides second-tier technology support |
| Local Support Providers in the Schools | provide front-line technology and operations assistance |
Classrooms for courses, final exams, and academic events are scheduled through the University Registrar’s office. Scheduling for courses is based on the meeting block schedule with courses conforming to the block given priority.
University Life Space and Events schedules all student activities, events sponsored by Conference Services, and events for non-Penn groups.