The Eck Liberal Arts Building was constructed in 1953 and serves as the primary home for UM's humanities offerings. In 2022, the Montana University System Board of Regents approved UM's request to rename its Liberal Arts Building the Dennis and Gretchen Eck Liberal Arts Building.
Thanks to the generosity of Dennis and Gretchen Eck, the building now features many renovated spaces, including 25 classrooms with innovative teaching technology, a 120-seat auditorium, a new central building entrance on the famed Oval, three student and faculty engagement hubs, several ADA-accessible restrooms and a new academic advising center.
The Eck Liberal Arts Building is shaped like an "E". The main stem of the "E" runs east/west and houses classrooms. The three wings to the north of the main stem house offices for several departments with the College of Humanities & Sciences.
Accessibility
Accessible Entrances: The Eck LA Building has three accessible entrances.
The east entrance is equipped with a push button automatic door.
The southwest entrance is ramped and equipped with push button automatic doors on the exterior door and interior vestibule door. The entrance leads into the main stem of the "E".
The center north entrance is ramped with an automatic door. This entrance opens to the stairwell landing and requires pulling open a levered door handle to enter the central corridor. Pulling forces of the doors is estimated at 20 pounds.
Elevators: East entrance is the closest to the elevator, which located to the right after entering. The elevator provides access to all levels on the east leg of the building. Offices located on the west leg of the "E" are not accessible by elevator.
Areas of Rescue Assistance: Located adjacent to the elevator on each floor.
Accessible Restrooms: A unisex accessible restroom is located on the first floor just down the hall from the elevator.
Accessible Parking: Closest accessible parking is located on the north side of the building in. There are three accessible spaces. Entrance to parking is from Eddy Street.
Barriers: Stairways throughout the building do not have compliant handrails.
Classroom LA 11 is located on the lower level and must be accessed using a lift. The lift requires ability to continuously press a button. The lift does not have edge protection on either the front or back of the lift. The stairway to the LA 11 classroom does not have compliant handrails.
The ramp that leads to the offices on the lower level of the east leg of the "E" does not have a compliant slope and has no edge protection.
Floor Plans: