A new and innovative STEM building is coming soon to SUNY Old Westbury. Following several years of effort and planning, the reconstruction of the Natural Science Building (NSB) has begun after almost four years of delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Dr. Ray Maggiore, Assistant Vice President for Capital Planning, said “The planning behind the renovation started several years ago, and it was based on the growth of STEM studies and the need for space.” 

“This will be a more modern and technologically advanced lab for students, the space will be modern and welcoming,” Maggiore continued. “This is  going to be a collaborative environment for faculty and students.” 

The new science building will invite students and faculty to collaborate in a space meant for STEM majors. This will change the way students are able to work with professors. The new space allows students to be fully immersed in labs with more resources, leading to new learning opportunities. 

Dr. Cheryl Wilson, the Dean of Arts and Sciences, says “The design planning for the new NSB is being done with the goal of creating collaborative workspaces and active learning classrooms, increasing opportunities for students to build community among themselves and with faculty.”

Chemistry and Physics professor Matthew Lippert stated that while the new change in location has its benefits it also has its flaws. “I haven’t been seeing students or colleagues as much as before,” he said. “In the NSB, we were all together on the 2^nd floor, so I would bump into my colleagues frequently.” 

The construction has scattered many STEM professors’ offices to the Woodlands. Lippert says “Now, they’re either down the other wing of Woodlands 5 or in Woodlands 1, so I rarely see them, which is unfortunate” he continues. “I also don’t see my students as often.  On the other hand, everyone from Chemistry and Physics is here in one hallway, so it is convenient to see them.” Lippert has also noted a drop off in student’s visiting office hours, or just stopping by to say hello.

While the new spaces are meant to create a community within students and faculty, professors are seeing less of the students who commute to campus as going down to the halls for office hours has become a challenge. Professors see less of each other as well. 

The construction of the science building will not only change the education of current students but it would hopefully change the image of the University and encourage applicants to apply to the STEM programs here on campus. Administration hopes the renovation will attract applicants from all over the world. 

“It’s our stake in the ground to become the national leader at the intersection of diversity and STEM.” O.W. President Timothy Sams says. “We wanna be the place known across the nation as the place where we provide access and tremendous opportunity within a STEM framework for diverse students across the nation; for me it is essential for the future and elevation of our university.” Sams is confident that the reconstruction will not only help current and future students in STEM, but will reconstruct the entire program and invite a diverse community to Old Westbury.