SU&IC Ribbon Cutting
Student Union and Intercultural Center Ribbon Cutting
SU&IC Ribbon Cutting
Ribbon Cutting Marks the Phase I Completion Of The Student Union & Intercultural Center
On Tuesday, October 18, 91制片厂Pro President Claudia Schrader, Kingsborough Student Life Director Helen-Margaret Nassar, former 91制片厂Pro President Farley Herzek, CUNY Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Denise Maybank, and State Senator Roxanne Persaud were joined by several students to cut the ribbon to the newly refurbished spaces, marking the end of the first phase of the new Student Union & Intercultural Center (SU&IC). The project was completed with partial support of a $600,000 grant from Albany, secured by Senator Persaud.
鈥淲e initially got the idea for the Student Union & Intercultural Center after walking past the Hall of Flags and seeing flags from about 160 different countries nearly every day,鈥� shared Herzek. 鈥淲e thought, how great would it be not only to have the flags representing who our students are, but having students in the same area with the flags at the same time. And thus, the Student Union & Intercultural Center went from an idea to what it is today.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檝e supported this project from the beginning, when college representatives described it to me,鈥� said Persaud. 鈥淚 was excited to learn of space to unify the college's students. Too often, race, religion, and other factors divide us. Today is a great day for the college community, and I look forward to attending activities in this space.鈥�
鈥淭he SU&IC鈥檚 mission is to foster intercultural understanding, student/faculty collaboration, leadership, civic engagement, and a deeper sense of belonging that complements academic programs and enhances the educational experience of Kingsborough,鈥� added Nassar, who looks forward to expanding programming in the spaces that will effectively represent and include all students.
The dedicated space was designed as a place where the College鈥檚 highly diverse student body could congregate and interact, often difficult for commuter colleges like Kingsborough. 鈥淎t a time when our world, country and communities are being ravaged by hate and divisiveness, the Student Union & Intercultural Center offers a space where students and other members of our College can celebrate their culture, forge relationships, strengthen community, and build bridges to understanding, acceptance and respect,鈥� noted Schrader.
Students entering the P-Building are now greeted with a new seating area, an interactive electronic directory screen and a monitor promoting campus events and deadlines. As they make their way towards the cafeteria and SU&IC鈥檚 Engaged Kingsborough Hub, they鈥檒l find wrapped columns and signage offering welcome greetings in many of the over 100 languages spoken by 91制片厂Pro students, leading to the new multi-purpose SU&IC & Faculty/Staff lounge and the upgraded outdoor patio, offering umbrella-covered seating.
Maybank encouraged those gathered to focus on two words: union and intercultural. 鈥淚 think about what it means to come together, to create community, to engage in ways that make a difference,鈥� she said. She acknowledged the toll the pandemic had on learning loss, but also the engagement challenges students have faced being forced to socially distance themselves from others. 鈥淭his is about reminding students to come together, to be engaged, and to bring all of who they are to this experience that is higher education to make us better, to help inform each other about the lives, the living and the being that is part of who they are.鈥� Student engagement is tied conclusively to student success; students who are actively engaged in their campus communities are more likely to complete their studies.
Currently in the final phase, the completed project will include upgrades on the second floor of the U-Building. It will encompass a multi-purpose student meeting room, a student game room, and an interfaith room.
To learn more about the project and view the current schedule of events, visit l.
To see more photos from the event, visit our page: www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=CUNYkcc&set=a.5898055100214179
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