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Consumer Sciences and Retailing
College of Health and Human Sciences
 

Labs & Facilities

The Department of Consumer Science is housed in Matthews Hall, located at the corner of University and State Streets. Matthews Hall is one of the oldest standing buildings on campus still being utilized for classroom, laboratory, and administrative space. It opened in 1922 and is named for Mary L. Matthews, the first dean of the School of Home Economics, who served from 1926 to 1952.

Apparel Design and CAD Laboratories

The Apparel Technology Labs offer state-of-the-art computer-based equipment and software used in the sewn products industry. The lab is used to demonstrate manufacturing equipment as well as innovative manufacturing management concepts. This includes pattern making, marker making, product data management, cutting, supply chain management, methods and time measurements, and garment construction. The skills students obtain in this high-tech environment make them highly marketable in industry.

Selected Apparel Design & Technology lab equipment includes:

  • 16 Consew industrial single-needle lockstitch sewing machines
  • Overlock machines
  • Blind hemmer
  • Coverstick machines
  • Twin needle lockstitchers
  • Zig-zagger
  • 2 industrial button holers

The CAD lab houses:

  • 15 multi-screen CAD workstations each with an HP Flatbed scanner and a Wacom Tablet
  • Gerber Plotter and Accumark Digitizer
  • Individual student supply lockers on-site
  • Industrial work tables
  • Male and female dress forms

Historical Costume Collection

A historical costume collection is preserved and utilized in classroom demonstration, research and for public display.

Textile Science Laboratory

Students practice basic fiber identification, chemical treatments of fiber, and dying and finish of fabrics. Experiments are completed with a commercially made garment using industrial testing equipment such as a crockmeter, laundrometer, Atlas light tester, rain tester, Scott tester, Elmendorf tester, Dimensional Stability tester, abrasion tester, flammability tester, and drape tester.

Center for Professional Selling Lab

The Center for Professional Selling is a state-of-the-art laboratory and outgoing call-center where students build skill sets in inside sales and relationship selling. Sponsored by external business partners, it is ideal for student sales competitions, market research, behavioral research, and conducting focus groups.