To be or not to be…a student center?:
CCNY’s Student Center Proposal
Fig # 1: Exterior view of the Synthesis Center
11/4/2024
Operation Synthesis:
- Rishak Datta
- Omar Quraishi
- Carlos Fernandez
- Tasnia Zaira
Introduction:
Remember those days when you were a freshman wandering around in college thinking: Man if only I knew someone who would just solve this freaking problem or maybe you started desiring, wondering if there is a place within this lonesome campus to make some friends, but then that feeling of despair and loneliness starts to kick in. And while yes we are not freshmen anymore, at least most of us are not, we can still relate to this statement whenever we face our more advanced academic problems. So wouldn’t it be nice to just escape for a little while, or perhaps meet someone who will pivot you to the solution? Well these solutions pretty much tie into why we are writing this proposal for CCNY to have a student center. CCNY is known for having a world class education at a fairly low price compared to other colleges but many students in CCNY typically get overwhelmed by the fast paced curriculum, and as a result fall into this plane of negative emotions and find it hard to socialize due to a lack of time. As a result this could lead to students being (there are more negative effects but this is just the tip of the iceberg), less enthusiastic, transferring to a different college, or even dropping out of college. So to make life easier, building a student center in CCNY will provide a beacon in which students can take a break from their workload, make healthy connections along their college journey, which will result in heavily mitigating the negative effects that were just mentioned.
Fig # 2: A pie chart showing what activities CCNY students do in their free time based on a survey conducted by CCNY students.
During the writing of this proposal we asked some of the students in CCNY of what needs they have and how they would be fulfilled with a student center. Most of them seem to have a need for having a place to socialize and having a dedicated place to have a break. Which is reasonable because in CCNY students don’t really have a default excuse to interact with other students and since there is not much of a social location within this campus, it reinforces the feeling of isolation within the students. This is proven when we asked the question: What would you want in a student center? And one of the students said in the survey: “Activities that require us to communicate” (Anonymous Student). In a campus such as CCNY, it’s possible for a class to have more than 100 students, yet have a hard time establishing a connection due to people quickly going in and out of a class/lecture.
Fig # 3: A generalized pie chart displaying the results of the 2nd question of the survey.
As said before, one of the solutions provided by the student center is a place to socialize more easily and that can be a reality. If we look at an article published by Debra D. Bragg, president of Bragg & Associate, Inc, the article states” While collaborative endeavors often exist at the upper level of campus administration (e.g., a president’s council within a state), networks dedicated to faculty, staff or students are rarer. When student success centers help connect and enable groups with similar needs and desires, shared learning can advance reform in more inclusive and consequential ways.” (Bragg, 2023) Allowing students to find alternative solutions toward their problems, by making this web of connections, can fuel their skills in problem solving, and this in turn can be very useful in their career or in almost any application in real life. Another benefit is also that students are more likely to be involved within their campus, because they are more likely to associate their campus to a certain group of people (or purpose) rather than just some big college campus. And this benefit of involvement can also be better explained by a paper published by Rowan University: “When students do participate in clubs, organizations, sports, academic extracurricular activities, their academic performance is more likely to be positive and successful.” (Davis, 2023) In an environment where you have a stable social connection with others, and you have a better chance of performing well in your academics, it then makes a student heavily unlikely to transfer out (or drop out) of campus, thus increasing retention rate.
Action Plan:
In order to cater to the demands set out by our peers we decided to make two buildings to create both a relaxed and an academic atmosphere. The Green Building exhibits a relaxed atmosphere aiming towards a more socializing environment. This will get more engagement within the community and let students relax and destress. Meanwhile students who want a more quiet place to study would go to the Yellow Building which will provide tutoring services, a chance to reserve spaces, and more, for the sake of providing a dedicated place for students to study in peace.
Location: 115 Convent Ave, New York, NY 10027 (see appendix for location)
Size:
- Yellow Building: 16,222.45 ft2
- Green Building: 17,436.19 ft2
Yellow Building:
Yellow Building 1st Floor: Synthesis Lounge
This floor assists students to serve their educational adventures in a collaborative space starting off with a student lounge. Here, they have access to 2 cafes to have some caffeine or energy drinks in their systems and ample amount of seating areas to lounge, study, socialize, and overall use how they wish to in a respectful manner. On the left side of the building, there’s a hangout wall for a calm lounge area to be used for various activities such as club meetings, etc. There are also 2 “Take a book and leave a book” shelves by both sides of the entrance for students to share books with their peers for free as well as enjoy new unexpected stories or information. At the very front there are elevators and stairs to access the rest of the building.
Fig # 4: The floor plan for the 1st floor of the Yellow Building.
Yellow Building 2nd Floor: Study Hall
A common complaint that most CCNY students have is that there is a lack of privacy/space when looking to get work done. With our Yellow Building’s Study Hall, students will have access to private study pods which will give our students the privacy and atmosphere that they have always desired. To top it off, we also have a section where students can use group study using our private group lecture hall which includes a concave white board along with a projector and a mini conference table in the middle of each group study pod. Surrounded by these rooms are normal tables to give more space to students who want to get work done. In the middle of the room is a big oval shaped hangout spot where students can just sit down and converse with one another. There will be comfortable seats surrounding this oval shaped piece as well as plants and other greenery in the center piece.
Fig # 5: The floor plan for the 2nd floor of the Yellow Building.
Yellow Building 3rd Floor: The Tech Lab
The purpose of this floor is to provide students a place to study who also need some assistance with technology or specific equipment. One of them is the installation of the multipurpose desks (it’s the ones that look like zigs zags in fig # 6 ) throughout the center of the floor (check out fig # 14 to see an image of these desks), and these desks serve as a better alternative compared to an isolated office cubicle but also as a mini charging station. We also have a printing station, with the typical ink printers along with some 3D printers, in case anyone wishes to practice their design software skills (in AutoCAD, Fusion 360, Revit, and more), or print out specific parts. In case if a group of students want to study together we also have tables lined up with smart boards, along them to display their content and discuss it. And finally on the right side of the building we have 9 large cubicles, which contain 2 large desks along with a blackboard on the side that will be used for the Tutoring Center. These large cubicles can be reserved for study group sessions or by tutors and staff to aid students in their problems or discuss/present about a particular content.
Fig # 6: The floor plan for the 3rd floor of the Yellow Building.
Yellow Building 4th Floor:
This floor is divided into 2 sections. The section on the front of the building is the Art Gallery and the section in the back of the building is the Synthesis Library.
The Art Gallery is purely for student appreciation. Many students create beautiful projects and after receiving the grade for the project they just throw away their creations. This art gallery allows students to display their artwork. There’s fun shaped wall decoration holders (see appendix for the decorum) to display work as well as the rest of the empty space for the students to design to their liking and hold art related events.
The Synthesis Library is a relaxing and escape haven for students as well as a research hub. In the front, there’s plenty of beanbags for students to get comfortable and enjoy a good book. There’s plenty of seating options ranging from desks to fun shaped sofas. The library also displays curly shaped bookshelves in order to attract dimension and make the environment fun and unique. There’s bathrooms at the end of the room for all students. And finally in the left back corner there’s a balcony so students can enjoy the outside world from an elevation. It also includes the entrance to the bridge to get to the Green Building.
Fig # 7: The floor plan for the 4th floor of the Yellow Building
Green Building:
Green Building 1st Floor: The Dining Hall
The first floor of the Green Building at the student center is designed to be a vibrant gathering place where students can come together to eat, relax, and enjoy each other’s company. Featuring popular food franchises like Chipotle, Jollibee, and IHOP, along with a variety of other food and drink options, this floor offers something for everyone’s taste and culture. Plenty of tables are available, creating a comfortable space where students can sit down for a meal, take a break, or socialize with friends. This dining area is meant to be a welcoming hub, where students can rest and connect over food, making it a central part of their college experience.
Fig # 8: The floor plan of the 1st floor of the Green Building.
Green Building 2nd Floor: Game Rooms
The second floor of the Green Building at the student center is an intricate game room that lets students enjoy the company of their friends while also destressing from a long school day. The floor has six sections to it: the ping pong/pool tables, the private console area, the group console area, the private board game area, and the group board game area. The consoles consist of PS5s, Xbox Ones, Nintendo Switches, and PC’s, all including their own respective games. The board games can range from anything from Monopoly to Sorry!, we will have a large variety of games on board. The ping pong/pool table areas were a request that students had in the survey that we sent out, so we plan on including high quality equipment for each respective sport. With all the following equipment we hope to make the game room a place for students to destress and play to their heart’s content.
Fig # 9: The floor plan of the 2nd floor of the Green Building.
Green Building 3rd Floor: The Fitness Center
Since most of these features are self explanatory, they will be listed out instead.
- 2 basketball courts
- 1 badminton/volleyball field
- 1 soccer field
- Storage room equipment such as pilate mats, basketballs, soccer balls, bosu balls, portable dip stands, foam rollers, pilate circles, yoga blankets, yoga straps, resistance bands, wall mounted pull up bars.
- 1 water fountain
- 4 wall mounted pull up stands
Fig # 10: The floor plan of the 3rd floor of the Green Building.
Note: Check out Fig # 16, in the appendix, for a legend of this floor plan
Green Building 4th Floor : The Terrace
The fourth floor of the Green Building is planned as an open-air terrace that gives students a calm and inviting space. In the middle, there’s a garden area where students can take part in growing plants, encouraging hands-on learning and giving them a chance to connect with each other. Around the garden, there are several seating areas where students can relax, study, or enjoy the fresh air in a natural setting. This terrace is designed to create a friendly atmosphere that supports relaxation, socializing, and learning new skills, making it a valuable space for students.
Fig # 11: The floor plan of the 4th floor of the Green Building.
Construction Timetable:
In order to put this action plan to action, it will take approximately 22 months in order to complete this project. This Gantt chart provides a timeline overview of the construction project for the entire 2 building, 4 story student center with an estimated budget of $30 million. The project is divided into key phases: Pre-Construction, Foundation & Substructure, Superstructure, Interior & MEP, and Finalization & Handover. Each phase outlines the start and end dates, with color-coded bars representing the duration of tasks across an estimated 18-24 month period. The chart highlights critical steps from design and permitting to final inspections, ensuring a structured approach to completing the project on schedule.
Fig # 12: Our timetable for construction.
Cost & Benefits:
Costs: This budget chart outlines the $__ million allocation for constructing the Synthesis Center. It offers a clear financial overview to ensure effective resource management for a balanced project execution.
| Item | Cost in Dollars |
| Tables & Chairs | $426,860 |
| Sofas & Beanbags | $79,280 |
| Trashcans | $13,000 |
| Game Consoles (PS5, Xbox 1, Nintendo Switch, Gaming PC) | $26,370 |
| Board Games | $2,450 |
| Pool & Ping Pong Tables | $7400 |
| Fitness Center Equipment | $5,210 |
| Plant Beds | $6,110 |
| Salad Bar | $7,500 |
| Fountain | $9,000 |
| Water Fountain | $13,500 |
| Reception/Information Desk | $30,000 |
| Bookshelves | $240,000 |
| Balcony Furniture | $1,200 |
| Computer Lab Desk | $120,000 |
| Architecture Plans | $65,000 |
| Foundation and structural walls and roof | $2,400,000 |
| Plumbing at all for the building water and draining sewer and sprinklers and boiler heater system | $850,000 |
| Electricity for the building | $750,000 |
| 14 Kitchens | $1,050,000 |
| Bathrooms | $1,060,000 |
| Elevator | $300,000 |
| Epoxy Flooring | $2,100,000 |
| Stairs | $130,000 |
| Walls framing | $312,000 |
| Insulation | $100,000 |
| Sheetrock | $450,000 |
| Paint | $300,000 |
| Miscellaneous | $4,000,000 |
| Total | $16,042,445 million |
Fig # 13: Total budget for construction and contents.
Benefits:
Building this student center at CCNY offers many benefits to the campus community. It creates a place for students to meet, socialize, and build friendships, strengthening the sense of community and helping students feel more connected. With designated spaces for relaxation, the center supports mental well-being by giving students a place to unwind and reduce stress, contributing to a more positive college experience. Additionally, the center encourages teamwork by providing a setting where students can easily collaborate on projects, study together, and share ideas, which helps foster a culture of collaboration.
The student center will also provide convenient food options, offering a range of meals and snacks to save students time and add variety to their choices. The rooftop garden allows students to learn new skills in gardening and promotes sustainable practices, enriching their learning experience outside the classroom. By helping students relax and connect, the center boosts motivation and focus, which can improve academic performance and reduce dropout rates. A modern student center can also increase CCNY’s appeal to future students, boosting the college’s reputation and drawing more applicants.
The Cogs of Operation Synthesis (Team Bio):
As of now in this material world no machine can operate without its parts, similarly Operation Synthesis was only possible by our 4 trustworthy members.
Tasnia Zaira is a 2nd-year electrical engineering major at The City College of New York. Fascinated by engineering since middle school, she pursued it in college. She also attended a STEM high school where she also majored in engineering and acquired her skills in Inventor, Fusion 360, AutoCAD, and RoboPro. She interned at a drone company, where she gained hands-on experience with drone technology and coding. Another part of the internship was to introduce elementary students to pilot drones, which allowed her to improve her leadership skills. Her quick learning skills allowed her to apply her knowledge effectively. She also has connections with experienced contractors, learning from their expertise, which qualifies her to excel in this project.
Next up, we have Rishak Datta, a second year mechanical engineering student at The City College of New York. Born in Queens, he attended Thomas A Edison Technical High School. During his academic years he was a member of the coding club, attaining a basic mastery of Python, and participated in a biodesign hackathon. During these events he learned how to be preserving and reliable for himself and his team mates. In this spare time he prefers to bake goods and devote himself toward the almighty. And now in CCNY he recently learned the basics of AutoCAD and Fusion 360 in which he hopes will aid him in his potential career in energy.
Omar Quraishi is a 2nd year computer science student at CCNY. He is a hard working and passionate individual who loves problem solving and is willing to work hard in order to solve CCNY’s lack of community building by helping design this student center. He has created a website about human rights advocacy using HTML/CSS/JS, and has worked in team settings to create a text based adventure game using C++ implementing data structures like hash maps, linked lists, and others. When he puts his mind to something there is nothing he won’t do in order to accomplish that goal, so he is reliable and you can count on him to get this project done.
Carlos Fernandez is a 1st-year Computer Engineering student at the City College of New York. He is a dedicated and supportive learner who also possesses a solid understanding of computer hardware and has decent experience in communicating and working well with different groups. His helpful approach to working with others has improved his ability to connect with others, making him a clear messenger who can work well with different personalities and ideas. Carlos is also interested in social activities and community events, knowing how important it is to build a friendly, welcoming environment. These abilities help him combine his technical skills with teamwork, making him a strong addition to any computer-related projects in the student center.
Conclusion:
The construction of a student center at CCNY would create a supportive space where students can recharge, connect, and find the balance needed to succeed in their college journey. By providing a place for relaxation, socializing, and skill-building, the student center will help reduce the stress and isolation that often come with a rigorous academic life. This center will not only improve student well-being but also foster a stronger sense of community, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and successful college experience for everyone.
References:
Bragg, D. D. (2023). Necessary change: What student success centers can do to support more equitable student success. New Directions for Community Colleges, 2023(201), 89–104. https://doi.org/10.1002/cc.20563
Davis, A. (2023). THE EFFECTS THAT SPACES AND PLACES OF CAMPUS HAVE ON UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS. Rowan Digital Works. https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/3101/
Appendix:
Fig # 14: These are the multipurpose desks for the 3rd floor of Yellow Building and where you see the red circles is where a mini power station will be placed.
Fig # 15: A map showing where the yellow and green building will be in the CCNY campus from a bird’s eye view.
Fig # 16: The 2 images above show the floor plan of the Green Building and a legend to understand the floor plan.
