Queens College is undergoing significant renovation in Remsen Hall and the Science Building, with support from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), New York State’s capital project development authority, the financing and construction partner for the City University of New York (CUNY).
The $7.2 million renovation projects will include the addition of multiple labs for faculty researchers in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences (SEES) in the Science Building and modernized chemistry laboratory space in Remsen Hall. The ongoing construction began this Fall and the project is anticipated to be completed by the end of this year, said Denese Gordon, QC Interim Assistant Vice President for Facilities Planning & Operation to The Knight News. In addition, DASNY is overseeing 21 active projects at QC.
In a statement given to The Knight News, Dr. Daniel Weinstein, Professor and QC Interim Dean of the School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, said:
“The renovations are to laboratories in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. These renovations align with several of the key goals outlined in the college’s current strategic plan, including development of curricula with experiential academics at its foundation and support for faculty scholarship that is interconnected with student success.”
Students and faculty alike will hugely benefit from the project which will allow them to expand their research capabilities and gain access to updated lab technologies and equipment.
While renovations are in progress, QC has expressed support for impacted departments that operate within both Remsen Hall and the Science Building and have made it a priority to notify them of the current construction.
“Some of the affected faculty have been working in temporary laboratory “swing space[s]”; they and members of their research groups will continue to utilize these spaces as renovations proceed,” said Dr. Daniel Weinstein.
QC President Frank H. Wu noted that the investment in the campus infrastructure and related areas will provide students with advanced learning spaces that provide affordable, high-quality education. The renovation will enhance the college’s cultural and educational outreach which is core to QC’s mission in serving the community, and its students and faculty.
The renovation of the Science Building and Remsen Hall supports DASNY’s mission in funding the advancement of long-lasting and robust institutions in New York with state-of-the-art facilities.
“Queens College has served as an educational cornerstone for generations of New Yorkers, and our partnership – spanning over 30 years – ensures this legacy continues for decades to come,” said DASNY President & CEO Robert J. Rodriguez in a Sept. 16th DASNY Press Release.
Rodriguez further stated, “DASNY is proud to support not just Queens College, but institutions across the CUNY system because we understand that investing in these colleges means investing in New York’s future. The projects we’re delivering at Queens College will create modern learning environments where students can excel academically while contributing to the vibrancy of southeastern Queens.”
