Beaver’s Den:
Designing the Next Chapter of Campus Life
Fig. 1: Rendering of the proposed Beaver’s Den Student Center
April 7, 2025
The Triangle of Vision:
Safwan Shariff
Arham Siddiki
Shibananda Paul
Introduction:
What message does a college send when its student center is the last place students want to be? Although intended to support student life, the current student center at The City College of New York (CCNY) functions more as a hallway detour than a destination that offers a little more than two pool tables. The lack of a proper student center is not just an aesthetic issue but one that hurts a student’s experience and use of time on campus. Hence, a fully equipped and re-imagined, modern student center is not just a luxury but a necessity. It would provide a welcoming space dedicated to students to socialize and engage meaningfully with campus life. This proposal will prove the importance for such a space and highlight how its implementation can drastically transform a student’s experience.
One of the indicators of this need comes from the students themselves directly. A survey was conducted among 100 students revealing that the majority commute from moderate to long distances and spend extended hours on campus due to gaps between classes. Despite this, students reported to rarely use the current student center and instead spent time in the library/cafe, the gym, or off-campus. According to survey results, this was due to the lack of amenities and a presence that confirms the center’s existence. The absence of a proper community space for students who spend so much time on campus highlights a critical flaw in the college’s infrastructure. Additional survey results are provided in the Appendix, offering first-hand evidence that CCNY’s current student center does not meet student needs.
Fig. 2: Graph highlighting survey results of 100 students for time spent during additional hours.
Alongside student feedback, external studies also provide strong evidence that student centers play a major role in enhancing retention and developing a sense of community. For instance, a study by Miller (2011), ‘The Influence of University Recreation Centers on Student Return and Retention during COVID-19, ’ demonstrated a close relationship between student involvement in recreation center activities and increased retention rates. Students who actively engaged with the center were more likely to continue their studies until graduation. Similarly, an article by Mixson-Brookshire, Goldfine, and Brookshire (2023), ‘Journal of College Orientation, Transition, and Retention,’ highlights that student centers can significantly impact retention by providing spaces that promote social engagement. With strong evidence from both students and outside sources necessitating a proper community space, the next section outlines a detailed action plan that transforms this vision into reality.
Action Plan:
The Student Center will be called Beaver’s Den and its construction will take place on the existing parking lot of the North Academic Center. That is a vast area of over 35,000 square feet which is going to be transformed into the new Student Center. The plan is to relocate the parking lot into the two spacious basement floors. This will ensure that students and faculty do not have to worry about parking their cars on campus because in total up to 900 vehicles can be accommodated in the two basement floors. The majority of the students rely on public transport to commute to school which makes this plan ideal. This will enhance the parking efficiency and make peoples’ lives easier. Each floor is going to have an area of approximately 18,000 square feet and there will be three floors excluding the basement which are going to offer the students various fun activities and places to relax. Outside the student center, there will be space available to add green space with walking trails which will make the environment more attractive and aesthetically pleasing.
Basement Level 1 and 2: Beaver’s Den will feature two spacious parking lots on two floors in the basement. This will be solely dedicated to parking, where each floor can accommodate 450 cars. Both floors will have an ample amount of accessible parking spaces and 50 electric car charging stations on each floor. Within the parking lot, there will also be other features added, such as surveillance systems, adequate lighting to enhance visibility, speed bumps, and raised crosswalks at certain places to make it safer for pedestrians. The focus in this area is to reduce congestion, maintain efficient traffic flow by using clear signs, and ensure both ease and safety for all commuters.
Fig. 3: Floor Plan for the basement levels
First Floor: The first floor will be the vibrant heart of student engagement. Here, the Center for Student Involvement will be constructed, with a goal of encouraging student participation in campus life and organizations. Besides this, other amenities like secured lockers for storing personal belongings, an indoor rock climbing wall, an elegant restroom, and a shower area will also be included. The lounge area will offer cozy seating and large flat-screen TVs to create a relaxing atmosphere. There will be two Meeting rooms on the first floor, which will provide comfortable spaces for student clubs and allow students to collaborate on projects. Additionally, the first floor will host a modern weights area which will consist of different lifting equipment that have a high demand. There will also be one of the two Multipurpose Rooms on the first floor, which can be used for events, workshops, and various campus activities.
Fig. 4: Floor Plan for the first floor.
Second Floor: The second floor will be dedicated to recreation and wellness. This floor will also feature a lounge with the same style as the first floor. Students can energize their day with the amazing cardio machines and equipment that cannot be found in the Wingate Gym. There will also be an option for students to gather for friendly competitions in the versatile court area, a lively game room which will be a casual spot to relax, socialize, and spend the break time between classes. while a piano offers opportunities for musical expression. On this floor, there will be a food court that will offer students all kinds of food options. For convenience, a microwave station will be placed here as well. The student population of this college is very diverse, for which reason we also greatly prioritize inclusivity and respect everyone’s religions and beliefs. This will be supported by providing a Multi-Faith Prayer Room, offering a peaceful space for students of all backgrounds to practice their faith. The Student Assembly Room will also provide a large space, ideal for gatherings, seminars, and student government functions, helping foster leadership and community spirit on campus. An additional Community Room and Meeting Room will also be constructed to help students to work together and organize events. There will also be an indoor running track that would offer an inviting space for running, walking, or casual exercise throughout the year.
Fig. 5: Floor Plan for the second floor
Third Floor: The third floor will have designated areas for all club offices. There will be separate rooms made which will be given to each club for them to use as an office. This way all the club offices are going to be under one roof and it will be easier for students to navigate. There will be a section for the new Tutoring Center as well. A large court will also be added where students can come and play during their free time. Equipment will also be available for students to use and play in the court, which includes badminton rackets, basketball, volleyball, nets, cones, and other sports related amenities.
Fig. 6: Floorplan sketch of third floor.
Construction Timetable: The construction of the Student Center is expected to take approximately 28 to 36 months. It will move through several key phases, such as planning and design; permit approvals; site preparation and foundation work; structural framing and roofing; mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installation; interior finishing and furnishing; and final landscaping.
Fig. 7: Gantt Chart showing approximate time for construction.
Cost and Benefits:
Costs: The total cost of the building will approximately add up to $28M, with the budget being divided among the sections shown below.
Fig. 8: Chart showing allocated costs.
Benefits: The worth of the entire project is about $28 million. The Turner Construction Company 2024 Cost Index indicates that New York City educational structures generally require construction costs between $600 and $800 per square foot. The $28 million cost of construction is needed because the 35,000 square feet center requires unique designs. The main construction expenses for foundation work and framing as well as roofing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and finishing amount to $20 million. The investment enhances both the lifespan and adherence to modern safety regulations for the structure. The budget of $2.5 million will fund all furnishings and gym equipment, together with seating sections and lockers to build a space that actively engages students. The expenses for landscaping amount to around $400,000 as they include area development and pathway installation, and seat placement. A budget of $2.5 million will equip the facility with proper amenities and furnishings which promotes an inviting atmosphere. Architects together with engineers and project managers will earn $3 million in their professional fees. The establishment of $2.2 million stands as the emergency fund to address unexpected matters.
The new center will host Tesla Supercharger stations from the budget of Amenities, in its underground parking which will produce rental or usage payments to help cover costs. The establishment of multipurpose rooms for external event bookings generates income through rental fees and the food court vendors earn consistent profits through commission-based agreements with food vendors. The proper equipment in the student center not only covers expenses but also enhances student retention and increases graduation rates which brings better applicant numbers along with improved reputation among CUNY institutions leading to a profitable return on the $28 million investment over time.
Our Team – The Triangle of Vision
This proposal was developed by a team of dedicated students who understand the needs of the campus community. Below are brief introductions for each team member:
Safwan Shariff is a first-year Civil Engineering Student at The City College of New York. He was born in Bangladesh and lived there for more than a decade before moving to the United States of America. Since childhood, he has always been passionate about arts and crafts and had his artwork presented at multiple local exhibitions. He is proficient in using Fusion 360 as he has experience using it to design robots in his high school robotics club. QGIS software is also another area where he has experience. He did several projects in this software and one of the notable ones is where he created an entire layout of Washington State where he added all the buildings, roads, parks, storm surge. In the future, he hopes to assist in doing good for the environment by making sustainable use of machinery.
Arham Siddiki is a first-year Computer Science student at The City College of New York. He grew up in Bangladesh, and finished his studies till High-School, attaining multiple awards in Physics, Mathematics, and Programming in 2023. Alongside his experience through several internships, Arham led multiple groups in software engineering and web development projects, developing the qualities of a leader and being organized. He is multilingual, being able to fluently speak Bangla, English, and Hindi, alongside being proficient in Python, Javascript, HTML, and CSS programming languages. Reading fantasy books and playing video games are among his hobbies. He aims to revolutionize the use of computers by transforming AI into tools that will shape the future one day.
Shibananda Paul is a first-year Computer Science student at The City College of New York. He grew up in Bangladesh and has always been passionate about technology and hands-on learning. In high school and through his internships, he gained experience with financial planning, budgeting, and project management, learning the importance of staying organized and detail-oriented. He is proficient in Google Sheets, Salesforce, Tableau, and basic scripting with Google Apps Script. In his spare time, Shibananda enjoys exploring new technology, learning programming, and working on small projects that challenge his creativity. One day, he hopes to work on a major technology project in New York City that helps make a real difference in people’s lives.
Conclusion:
A strong campus community is built through spaces that welcome connection, creativity, and belonging. CCNY’s current student center does not serve the needs of the students that it is meant to. However, that can be changed. With a re-imagined student center, students may finally effectively utilize their extended campus hours to connect with people, easily engage with club activities, have a proper place to relax and spend time in, and feel as if they are part of something bigger than themselves. An improved student center is more than just an upgrade. It is a commitment and an investment in the future of CCNY’s students. Not only would it promote engagement and creativity, but it would also contribute to the long-term success of the students. With a shared, collaborative effort, steps can be taken now to create a place that motivates students to be proud to call their campus home.
References:
Cost Index | Turner Construction Company. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.turnerconstruction.com/cost-index
Miller, J. J., & Croft, J. C. (2022). The influence of university recreation centers on student return and retention during COVID-19. Recreational Sports Journal, 46(2), 131–140. https://doi.org/10.1177/15588661221097701
Mixson-Brookshire, D., Goldfine, R., & Brookshire, D. (2023). The Student Recreation Center: Underutilized Resource for Improving Student Retention. Journal of College Orientation, Transition, and Retention, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.24926/jcotr.v30i1.4952
Appendix:
Fig. 9: Graph of Additional Survey Results for why students avoid the current student center.
