TROY – When Troy University students return to the classroom on Aug. 22, they’ll be treated to more academic space on the Troy Campus.

The University’s newest academic building, nestled between McCartha and Wallace halls, the new building increases classroom space on the campus by 22 percent, said physical plant director Mark Salmon.

The 42,000 square-foot building houses four multipurpose theater-style classrooms on the first floor, seating up to 120 students. Thirteen additional 60-student classrooms are also located in the building. Office space for some faculty members is also included in the building.

“We are hoping this building will support student learning in a new and very sophisticated way,” said Dr. Dianne Barron, associate provost and dean of the University’s Graduate School .

Barron said the building, which is outfitted with wireless technology, will have he capacity to site about 1,300 students per hour. Each classroom has projection systems and computers to facilitate class presentations.

“Faculty will have the ability to log on to their home pages and pull their presentations while lecturing and students with laptops can do live internet searches from their seats,” she said.

The building has been a year-long project spearheaded by Barron, and raises the total amount of available classroom space on the campus from about 102,000 square feet to about 124,000 square feet.