The School of Medicine and Health Sciences began construction of more study and lounge space in their library last week, addressing several concerns raised by an accrediting body which placed them on probation last month.

Deborah Hudson, assistant vice president of medical communications and marketing at SMHS, said the renovation of Himmelfarb Library was just one part of the medical school’s plan to lift their probation within the next year. GW is the only medical school in the country on probation with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, which accredits GW and 147 other U.S. and Canadian medical schools.

“Himmelfarb Library is being reconfigured to expand quiet study space and to create a designated area for lounge space for use by our students,” Hudson wrote in an e-mail.

Though SMHS officials have refused to make the LCME report public, a news release announcing the probation last month listed “curriculum management, lounge and study space for students and internal administrative processes” as the most pressing problems cited by the accrediting organization.

Plans for the Himmelfarb renovation were initially discussed in August, Hudson said. Since then, University administrators have held focus groups, met with space planners and applied for the necessary permits to expand.

“Additional focus groups are being held to get input to be used to the actual configuration of the space on the first and second floor of Himmelfarb,” she said.

The University will likely complete the renovations by the spring, but students will still be able to use Himmelfarb to study during the construction period.

“Most of the actual construction will take place between midnight and 7 a.m. to minimize noise and disruption,” Hudson said. “Careful planning is underway to ensure that quiet study space is maintained for our students throughout the entire project.”

The LCME visited the medical school as part of the accreditation process in February. They notified the school that it would be put on probation if it did not resolve the study space problem and several other issues.

Hudson said medical students had previously requested more study and lounge space through surveys taken upon graduation.

“These student surveys and other input from students reflected a desire for additional quiet study spaces, places for students to sit together to work and talk and places to relax,” she said.

The LCME considered information from these student surveys when they visited the school for the on-site review, Hudson said.