The U’s medical knowledge is on the brink of going high tech-and it’s about time.

The old School of Medicine building had auditoriums that made the scary OSH Auditorium look like a jewel. Educating future doctors and nurses in such a dingy and low-tech building is a frightening thought.

Building the new center with an interdisciplinary structure is also commendable. As third-year medical student Clark Johnson said, those in the medical field depend on one another-nurses, doctors, medical technicians all work together to help the patient. Educating those same people starts an open and communicative relationship from the beginning, which can only further the understanding of the importance of each person’s job.

Also, as medical student and building planning board member Muhammad Khan explained, those in charge of creating such an interdisciplinary structure also made sure the building focused on the needs of the students. The members of the planning board listened to student input and changed their plans, such as including more study space.

This is a vital lesson everyone at the U needs to keep in mind as new buildings are created and construction continues throughout campus.

The $40 million structure was well worth the cost to provide those that keep us alive with a proper education.

The Utah Legislature deserves approval for actually giving the $40 million needed to create the new education building, instead of choosing to cut the budget as they traditionally have. Part of the Legislature’s willingness to hand over the sum comes from the fact that legislators believe they will end up making that money back through the addition of more medical professionals into Utah’s workforce.

While the governing body funds programs like engineering, it needs to stop overlooking other areas of campus, such as Humanities and Art.

Also, Maureen Keefe, dean of nursing, fought to hire more faculty and to retain current faculty. Keefe asked the Legislature for a $6.5 million increase in funding, which she did not receive. While educating physicians is important, with the current severe nursing shortage it is essential to provide schooling for nurses.

While it is commendable that the Legislature provided the money for the building, it must realize the importance of all health professions, and, for that matter, all fields at the U.