New student center for engineering students
February 12, 2007
A meeting, study and service center designed specifically for students in for the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering opened at the start of the fall semester.
The facility, covering 7,500 square feet of renovated space in the Engineering Center G-Wing building, features several study pods, a wireless access facility, a conference room and meeting areas that can accommodate small groups for lectures and movie presentations.
More services are to come. The first level of the G-Wing complex surrounding the Fulton Student Center will provide academic and student services related to tutoring, internships, scholarships, engineering diversity programs, undergraduate research and student achievement programs.
Ann Zell, the Fulton school’s assistant dean for academic affairs, is in charge of the center.
“The Fulton Student Center functions as a hub within the engineering complex, providing students an environment in which to relax, exchange ideas and utilize the school’s services,” Zell said.
The center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. There are plans to offer early evening hours later this year.
The $1.2 million remodeling has produced a space sporting creative architectural design. The use of opaque blue and orange polycarbonate walls provides a see-through experience that allows students to view the electrical systems and other elements of engineering incorporated into the facility.
“We wanted something innovative, modern and exciting that would interest and motivate students,” said Marie Schwind, facilities project coordinator for the Fulton school.
“This project offers a highly visible one-stop-shopping location for our student support services, and provides a place for students to gather and develop a sense of community within the engineering school,” said Ben Huey, who was associate dean of planning and administration for the Fulton School when the student center project began.
“We want to see students from the various engineering disciplines interacting informally, developing leadership skills in student organizations and working together to learn more effectively” Huey said. “The student center demonstrates our emphasis on these values in the Fulton School of Engineering.”
Students can reserve areas of the center at the Information Desk located inside the facility, or by calling (480) 965-1726.
