Spring Break
Center improved over summer
by Shana D. Lebowitz
Features Editor
News | 9/11/07
Posted online at 8:13 PM EST on 9/10/07
/ Last updated at 8:12 PM EST on 9/10/07
The Intercultural Center was renovated over the summer after proposed improvements to the 15-year-old building took over a year to gain administrative approval.
The renovations for the Center-which houses 14 cultural campus organizations and is the site of several classes taught by faculty and staff cost $125,00 and were funded by the University Capital Budget, according to Vice President of Campus Operations Mark Collins. They included the creation of an improved multipurpose space as well as new carpeting, cabinets and countertops. A new director's office was also built.
"There's no one who could walk into the center and not see a noticeable difference in the area that has been renovated," said ICC Director Monique Gnanaratnam.
The ICC and the Student Union submitted a proposal to the administration in May 2006 that called for a $105,000 renovation of the building, but the project was stalled because sufficient funding from the University wasn't immediately available. Former Union President Alison Schwartzbaum '08 told the Justice in May that Jean Eddy, the senior vice president for students and enrollment, informed her that between $100,000 and $120,000 that had been made available in the University's budget for renovating the ICC during the summer.
Gnanaratnam said many campus organizations, including the Hip Hop Dance Club and some theater groups, have already asked to use the new multipurpose room, which was built with mirrored walls and hardwood floors.
"The multipurpose space will open up the ICC for a number of opportunities," Gnanaratnam said.
The plan to renovate the ICC was originally proposed by former ICC director Sujan Talukdar, who worked with student members of the ICC as well as the Student Union, Gnanaratnam said.
Student Union President Shreeya Sinha '09 said the expansion of the ICC will lessen the competition to find space to meet in the Shapiro Campus Center.
"[The renovations are] a great symbol that the University is in support of diversity,"Sinha said.
Professors will also now be able to teach more classes in the ICC, Gnanaratnam said. This year, three classes will be held in the Center, including "Crossing Borders: Personal Narratives from the Cross-Cultural Experience," as well as some courses for the Transitional Year Program.
The renovations for the Center-which houses 14 cultural campus organizations and is the site of several classes taught by faculty and staff cost $125,00 and were funded by the University Capital Budget, according to Vice President of Campus Operations Mark Collins. They included the creation of an improved multipurpose space as well as new carpeting, cabinets and countertops. A new director's office was also built.
"There's no one who could walk into the center and not see a noticeable difference in the area that has been renovated," said ICC Director Monique Gnanaratnam.
The ICC and the Student Union submitted a proposal to the administration in May 2006 that called for a $105,000 renovation of the building, but the project was stalled because sufficient funding from the University wasn't immediately available. Former Union President Alison Schwartzbaum '08 told the Justice in May that Jean Eddy, the senior vice president for students and enrollment, informed her that between $100,000 and $120,000 that had been made available in the University's budget for renovating the ICC during the summer.
Gnanaratnam said many campus organizations, including the Hip Hop Dance Club and some theater groups, have already asked to use the new multipurpose room, which was built with mirrored walls and hardwood floors.
"The multipurpose space will open up the ICC for a number of opportunities," Gnanaratnam said.
The plan to renovate the ICC was originally proposed by former ICC director Sujan Talukdar, who worked with student members of the ICC as well as the Student Union, Gnanaratnam said.
Student Union President Shreeya Sinha '09 said the expansion of the ICC will lessen the competition to find space to meet in the Shapiro Campus Center.
"[The renovations are] a great symbol that the University is in support of diversity,"Sinha said.
Professors will also now be able to teach more classes in the ICC, Gnanaratnam said. This year, three classes will be held in the Center, including "Crossing Borders: Personal Narratives from the Cross-Cultural Experience," as well as some courses for the Transitional Year Program.
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