At a signal from SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley, the assembled dignitaries raised their golden hammers. They tapped upon a wall emblazoned with photos of the Campus Center being built: the groundbreaking in 2003, the "Big Dig," steel going up and finishing touches. And then they burst through, from the arena/convocation center building opened last fall into the former Swetman Hall, now newly remodeled to house student organizations, student services and more.

A day of festivities Oct. 12 included tours of the new facility, a presentation honoring donors to the center and a Laker men's hockey game.

"This building is a structure of bricks and mortar, but it represents what this community is all about," said Stanley. "This breakthrough connects our campus in an academic, social and community sense. [The Campus Center] has come to represent what we on this campus are all about. It is our mission."

State Sen. Jim Wright '71 recalled his time as a freshman on campus, when academic buildings and residence halls were brand new in 1967. "That was the last time an investment was made, until we started to transform this campus under the leadership of President Stanley," he said. She ensured that investments were made with students in mind, he said, so that "student life would be enhanced and students would in turn carry those experiences with them, as I have."

Dr. Susan Camp, chair of the Faculty Asssembly, noted that "The history of collaboration is evident today." She praised the work of the Campus Concept Committee, which included faculty, staff and students in making decisions about the building.

Armand E. Sabitoni, general secretary-treasurer and New England Regional manager of the Laborers' International Union of North America, praised the "enthusiasm and electricity I see." He said that Stanley and the campus community had "accomplished a magnificent atmosphere of learning."

Lake E-ffect Extra: Campus Life

Ed. Note: In the October issue, we highlighted The Compass. In this issue we spotlight the department of Campus Life and The Point.

The department of Campus Life has found a new home in the Campus Center. Campus Life is directly involved with clubs and organizations on campus.  Additionally, it encompasses Intramurals and Recreation, plans events such as Opening Weekend and Family and Friends Weekend, organizes activities in Hewitt Union and oversees scheduling of various happenings on campus.

For Campus Life staff member Holli Coats Stone '96 the move to the Campus Center has been particularly exciting. While a student at Oswego, Stone spent a lot of time in Swetman Hall, which was renovated to become part of the Campus Center complex.

“The renovation of the buildings is something I have a hard time describing to those I keep in touch with as I don’t feel my words do it justice,” said Stone. “As a professional staff member, I’m thrilled to have my new home be in a space that I spent most of my undergraduate years.”

A new venue within the department of Campus Life is The Point, an area in the Campus Center where students can explore clubs and events outside of class.  It houses all Student Association organizations and the executive board of Student Association as well as faculty advisors and staff. 

Previously, in Hewitt Union, only 22 organizations had office space.  There was also a big divide between Student Association offices and club offices.  With the introduction of The Point, both of these things have come together and with 50 spaces reserved for organizations, more groups than ever before have offices and meeting places.  Assistant Director of Campus Life and Administrator for the Point Michael Paestella said that the new space is a definite improvement.

“We’re all together in this one hub, which is really cool,” he said.  

The Point has three types of spaces: closed offices, open cubicles and computer workstations.  Different organizations may share one space, which Paestella said was a positive point.

“There’s a neat synergy that’s taking place,” he said of the different groups interacting.

Director of Campus Life Rich Hughes agreed that the new complex lays a unique foundation for communication and convergence. "I don't know of any other campuses where the lives of students, faculty and staff crisscross on a daily basis in so many different ways in a single building," he said.

Student Association President Josh Miller '08 agrees that the space has really helped bring together groups that hadn’t previously worked together.     

“The increased interaction and cross promotion of groups is astronomical,” he said.        

Along with being in the office simultaneously, club members may meet near the organizations’ mailboxes, located at the center of The Point.  With faculty advisors close by, students can seek help for their organizations.  If they need to talk about creating a group or financing their own group, the Student Association supreme court and executive board are literally right down the hall.       

“By having our new offices right along the walkway, it makes us a million times more accessible,” Miller said.       

Also, with The Point being at the heart of the Campus Center, any student can wander in and discover how he or she can increase campus involvement.       

“It’s definitely a warmer, more student-friendly approach,” Paestella said.

— Jessica Skeldon '09, Kristin Quinn '08

PHOTO CAPTION:
SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley and the assembled dignitaries prior to raising their golden hammers.

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