Window On Future: $26M Brings ‘Modern Pedagogy’ to Future
In the wide, open expanse of the lounge, students can grab a quick, locally sourced sandwich or a customized Chobani yogurt and relax. In the brightly lit labs, students can build the latest robots and design tomorrow’s computer programming. And in the small, intimate corners, study groups can draw charts and make notes on the whiteboard walls.
This is The New Fitzelle Hall, and it’s officially open for learning as of an opening reception 10 a.m.-noon Monday, Sept. 25. “This building sends animportant signal that our newest building is dedicated to academics,” said Tom Rathbone, associate VP/facilities & safety.
The original Fitzelle Hall was built in 1968 as 70,000 square feet of classroom and faculty offices in a split-level with an office tower.
Over the past three building seasons, $27 million in construction added 10,000 square feet, and the office tower was torn down and rebuilt to house the Education, Math, Computer Science, Philosophy, Psychology, Africa and Latino Studies departments.
“In effect, we’ve added another building,” said Rathbone of the biggest renovation to date on the 46-year-old campus.
In addition to offices and classrooms, Rathbone is most proud of the 200 seats of “informal learning” spaces, complete with white boards, electric outlets and table space for coffee cups and notebooks. “The white boards are compatible with any kind of marker,” Rathbone pointed out. “And it just wipes right off.”
Fueling those study sessions will be Seasons Café, which features grab-and-go soups and sandwiches made from locally sourced ingredients, as well as a Chobani yogurt bar, where students can make their own creations, from peanut butter and jelly to caramelized onion and pesto.
With teacher preferences in mind, the classrooms were designed to feature a variety of writing spaces, including chalkboards for the more traditional and smartboards for the tech-savvy. “Everyone likes something a little different,” said Rathbone. “One of the things we really wanted was this diversity of classrooms so faculty will be able to enjoy a room they enjoy teaching in.”
Faculty even got to choose the furniture in their offices, and Rathbone tried to make sure as many faculty members as possible had a window in their offices.
But in place where a windows might wash out a PowerPoint or distract students, underground “lecturettes,” – small lecture halls – complete with wiring for student laptops and swivel chairs to facilitate group work. “It was a challenge to use that space,” said Rathbone.
Even when students and faculty have to venture outdoors, they won’t have to leave too many comforts behind. A covered walkway leads to the IRC, while a heated sidewalk on the second floor creates a shortcut to the Hunt Union. “It helps with the snow and ice we have here,” said Rathbone.
And the new Fitzelle Hall continues SUNY’s commitment to going green, the VP said. Heating and cooling systems have been updated to LEEDS standards, and several gender-neutral, handicapped-accessible bathrooms come complete with shower stalls. “We want to encourage faculty to ride their bike to work,” said Rathbone. “And this way, they can clean up when they get here.”
The project – ground was broken two years ago May – was underwritten by the State University Construction Fund. “Students can go to their classes, grab a healthy snack and head up to the Union,” said Rathbone. “This building reflects the modern pedagogy.”