Student Life Department At Kendall Campus Gets $200,000 Makeover

Kendall Campus is completing a year-long renovation project that has given the Student Life Department a facelift.

The current project includes new furniture, floors and fresh paint to the area’s space in the 100 building. Earlier this year, the department welcomed a career closet and an Esports room. 

In total, the overhaul cost $200,000. 

“We want our students to feel comfortable here at the campus,” said Cristina Mateo, the director of campus administration, who is overseeing the work. “For that to happen you have to create an environment…where students can collaborate and come together.”  

The south side of building 100, which previously served as the department’s reception area, was redeveloped into a hangout spot featuring a pool table and two minimalist-style blue couches facing each other. 

Other changes introduced a small reception space, new plank flooring and new black office chairs and conference tables that are to be used during Student Government Association meetings. 

The north wing of the 100 building, which sits across from Finn’s Bistro, was repurposed from a storage space and a clubroom into the new reception area where students can obtain their student IDs. 

Housed in Room 127, the space also includes an oversized chess board set, a six-seat high desk with electrical outlets, two egg-shaped chairs and two blue serpentine armless sofas.

The reception area features storefront windows that face building 6.

“It’s a big change in a positive way,” said Student Life specialist Karen Ramirez. 

For students like Pedro Callender, the upgrades are a breath of fresh air. 

“More students have been going to [the Student Life Department], whether it’s to chill or hang out with friends,” said Callender, a second-year psychology student. “It’s really nice and I especially love interacting with students.” 

In January, the department onboarded an Esports room that includes 20 computers with high-end NVIDIA graphics cards, intel eight-core processors and 32 gigabytes of RAM accompanied by high-refresh rate monitors and gaming mouses and keyboards.

Located on the south wing of building 100 in Room 101 the 12,274 square-foot space is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students can reserve the space by visiting https://rb.gy/tzuco.  

A career closet was opened in November. Located in Room 130, the facility offers students access to free professional attire including suits, blouses, shirts, ties and heels. 

Students are eligible to receive three items per semester by filling out a SingleStop referral form.

Click here to subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter, The Hammerhead. For news tips, contact us at mdc.thereporter@gmail.com