Allen Hall is open for business.

Make that,has reopened.

Faculty and staff this week began moving back into the building thats home to West Virginia Universitys acclaimed 5-year teacher education program.

The building that houses WVU s College of Human Resources and Education closed last year for a $10.1 million renovation. The new Allen now boasts high-tech classrooms and an active speech and hearing clinic that serves area youngsters.

Its good to be back home,HR&E Dean Anne Nardi said, as she and her staff unpacked boxes and set up shop in the old-new Allen.

The project included extensive, high-tech upgrades of classrooms and the audiology clinic, along with the removal of asbestos from the buildings ceiling and support beams.

Asbestos is a fire-resistant material that was commonly used in construction through the 1970s before its health hazards were known.

Technology will be well-known for the new Allen, Nardi said.

Eleven classrooms and the Deans Conference Room now feature state-of-the-art capabilities for distance-learning. The hearing clinic has been expanded to include a new laboratory and a special room for the fitting of hearing aids.

Being relocated for the year has made us all realize how much we missed Allen Hall,Nardi said.Now we have returned to a wonderful facility, an environment that is more conducive to teaching and learning.

Look for Allen and HR&E to be showcased during the fall semester, Nardi said.

• The speech and hearing clinic hosts an open house from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 8.

• Allen Halls open house is 10 a.m., Sept. 26.

• The inaugural Alumni Academy presentation is Homecoming weekend, Oct. 14.

• HR&E Diversity Task Force forum at 7 p.m. Oct. 19, Erickson Alumni Center.