The Wingate Student Center Reimagined:
Renovating Wingate Hall Into an Improved Student Center for The City College of New York

Fig. 1: The Wingate Student Center at The City College of New York with informational banners.

April 7, 2025

Benny’s Fenny:
Aqdar Alkusari

Brandon Cabrera Gonzalez

Cherno Diallo

James Walsh

Joey Lam

Introduction:

The City College of New York has a retention rate of 75% to 80%, with a transfer rate of ~27% (City College of New York Fall 2023 Fact Sheet, 2023; City College of New York Fall 2022 Fact Sheet, 2022). Compared to the retention rate of Statewide and Nationwide schools, City College has a lower percentage of students who stay for all four years (The City College of New York Graduation Rate & Retention Rate, 2013). One method to increase retention is with the addition of student centers. A student center, or community center, is a central area on campus that offers services, amenities, activities, and a communal space for students. City College’s student center, located in Wingate Hall, is highly underutilized and unfamiliar to much of the student base. Its current condition does little to foster student engagement and is ineffective at maintaining retention. With an improved student center, a stronger sense of community may be obtained, increasing student engagement and boosting student retention. For this reason, Benny’s Fenny is proposing to renovate the Wingate Student Center.

Attending to the students’ wants and needs may be beneficial for increasing student retention. When surveying City College’s students, we found that only 18% of the respondents have visited the student center. The overwhelming majority have either never been or were uninformed about it (See Figure 2). Respondents were also asked their opinion on the accessibility of student resources and the difficulty of making friends at a commuter school, on a scale from one to five. The average response to both questions was a three, with neutral accessibility for resources and neutral difficulty making friends (See Figures 3 and 4). This response is also reflected in answers to further questions regarding student centers. When asked what students expect of a student center,  few responses entailed having access to a wide range of resources, minimizing the need to visit multiple centers. Additionally, respondents would be more inclined to visit the student center if it had amenities such as: quiet rooms for self and group study, prayer rooms, more sports activities/equipment, food and snacks, books, games, and spaces for club activities. To better understand student needs, we also asked what students do as a pastime between classes. The common responses were eat, sleep, do homework/study, or meet with friends. Some supplementary comments from respondents mention the Wingate Student Center’s unwelcoming appearance and the lack of advertising about what the center provides for students. These survey responses are to be considered to create a community space best suited for students’ wants and needs. 

Fig. 2: Student responses when asked if they have been to CCNY’s student center.

Fig. 3: Student responses when asked how accessible they feel student resources are, with 1 being not accessible at all and 5 being very accessible.

Fig. 4: Student responses when asked how difficult it is to meet/make new friends as a commuter school, with 1 being very difficult and 5 being very easy.

While student centers are beneficial for student engagement, they also increase social and academic integration for institutions (Harlan et al., 2024). According to SarahElla Harlan, in their article Undergraduate Student Perceptions of and Barriers to Accessing Student Success Center Resources, published by The National College Learning Center Association, they explain that “Students who use success center services demonstrate greater persistence in their education, including a higher likelihood of registering for classes in upcoming semesters.” By implementing student support services, such as student centers, institutions will have higher retention rates since students are less likely to transfer or drop out. Data also shows that student support services contribute to students excelling inside and outside the classroom, as demonstrated through improved GPAs (Harlan et al., 2024). Student academic outcomes and skills, such as study skills, time management, teamwork, and communication, can also be improved through student centers, as they often provide students with access to tutoring and coaching support (Harlan et al., 2024). Furthermore, to provide a fair and balanced perspective of the needs and standards for a student center, we researched The City College of Technology’s student center. Compared to City Tech, City College’s student center is not efficiently advertised or explained, and improvements could also be made to fix this. The information that we gathered about their student center was easily accessible since they provide a separate and independent section on the official college website for it. This section, labeled “Student Success Center”, is divided into sections that provide information in an organized and concentrated way. The facility mainly provides access to helpful resources that boost students academically, including a comprehensive program that helps students meet academic standards and get back on track. It also provides student skill coaching, emergency resource support, and one-on-one coaching where students can meet with a success coach to find personal individualized support from the Student Success Center. Each one of these features can play a huge role in a student’s overall academic performance. These facts and features emphasize the importance of student centers, illustrating the benefits of renovating Wingate Hall to build student success, community, and retention.

Action Plan:
Wingate Hall is surrounded by buildings such as the North Academic Center, Shepard Hall, and Marshak. Rather than rebuilding and relocating the student center, we propose making renovations, as its current location is already at the center of campus. Moreover, City College’s campus has an iconic Gothic architecture. To preserve its aesthetic and maintain a uniform appearance, our renovations will not alter the exterior of Wingate Hall. Instead, we are focusing on improving the interior of the Wingate Student Center. Wingate Hall has an area of 6,000 square feet, with 3 accessible stories. We plan to improve the 3rd-floor gym and utilize the remaining 2 floors for an updated student center.

First Floor: The layout of the new first floor is divided into sections to meet various student needs (see Fig. 7 in the appendix). A cafe section will be implemented with a selection of pastries, sandwiches, salads, and hot drinks, giving students a convenient spot to grab a snack or quick meal. Next to the café is the cafeteria, including a shared fridge where students can store their food during the day. Microwaves will also be added to allow students to reheat meals, along with several trash cans to encourage cleanliness. Additionally, the new vending machines will offer affordable snacks and drinks. The cafeteria will also feature three wall-mounted HD televisions for student entertainment. The student lounge section will be a social, yet relaxed space intended for talking, eating, and hanging out. This area is designed to have a welcoming and casual atmosphere, perfect for students who want to chat or enjoy a break between classes. We will be keeping the original game room elements from the current student center: pool tables, air hockey, and ping pong. However, we are adding new seating to create a comfortable lounge vibe. In the center of the room, an interactive television will be added. Bulletin boards will allow for advertisements of clubs, event postings, and job opportunities. A charging station will also be available for students to charge their devices. We also included a designated quiet area by redesigning the old study hallway. We will remove the previous carpet and enforce a food-free policy to ensure the best environment for study. This space will have up to twelve dark oak tables, each paired with two ergonomic office chairs to provide comfort during long study sessions. In the center of the quiet section will be a help desk, operated by part-time student workers and supervised by a professor. The help desk will assist students with navigating school-related issues, directing them to the right departments, and helping them set up appointments. Additionally, the desk will offer a part-time employment opportunity for students and provide students with tutoring sessions. Students will be able to reserve private rooms through the help desk. These rooms are perfect for individual use, club meetings, or small events. Groups may reserve rooms for 30 minutes at a time, with a maximum of six reservations per day. Clubs may reserve rooms for one hour, up to three times per day. The prayer and faith room will also be located in the quiet section and will remain open to all students without the need for reservations. Rooms will be cleaned daily to maintain a peaceful, inclusive space. To further separate work environments from recreational environments, we will add plants throughout the first floor to create a calming, natural atmosphere as opposed to a fluorescent office atmosphere. All the doors will be made of dark oak wood to match the flooring, except for the stairwell doors, which will be painted white to create a subtle contrast and help with wayfinding. Every television on the first floor will be HD, reinforcing the modern and polished feel of the entire space. (See Figure 8 in the appendix for a detailed floor plan.)

Second floor: The second floor of the student center will follow the same design and maintenance standards as the newly renovated first floor. Similar to the first level, the flooring will be dark oak wood, and the walls will be painted a soft light grey color, giving the space a warm yet modern feel. 2700K LED bulbs will be installed to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. All doors will match the aesthetic with dark oak finishes, and stairwell doors will be painted white to provide visual contrast and help students navigate the building more easily. To ensure cleanliness and comfort, the second floor will be maintained with the same daily routine as the first floor. Students may handle the maintenance and upkeep of the student center as a part-time work opportunity.. The second floor will also be heated in the winter and air-conditioned in the summer to keep students comfortable year-round. This floor offers a combination of quiet and casual social spaces to suit different student needs. The quiet lounge will be designed for those looking to relax, study, or unwind in a calm environment. Once a week, the quiet lounge will transform into a cozy screening room for Movie Nights, where students can gather to watch a movie chosen through student votes. A projector will be used for these events, making the space fun and flexible without compromising its daily purpose. Another highlight of the second floor is the gaming room, which promotes socialization amongst both video game lovers and fans of tabletop games. One corner of the room will feature four HD televisions for video game consoles, allowing multiple students to play at once. In the other corners,  tables with seating will provide space for board games, card games, or just casual conversation. Trash bins will also be placed throughout the rooms to encourage students to keep the space clean. The casual lounge will offer a relaxed environment for conversation and downtime. This room will be furnished with several couches and vending machines stocked with a range of snacks and drinks. A bulletin board will also be added for students to stay informed about current campus events, club announcements, and other helpful postings. Finally, the second floor will include one private room, reserved through the same process as the first-floor private rooms. (See Figures 9 and 10 in the appendix for a general and detailed floor plan.)

Third Floor: The third floor of the student center will continue to house the gym, a space that is familiar to and frequently used by students. Based on the survey responses, we’ve chosen to keep the overall layout the same, as it already works well. However, to improve upon the gym, we will add additional apparatus, such as leg press machines and punching bags.. These updates are designed to enhance the existing space without disrupting the familiar setup that students are comfortable with. (See Figure 11 in the appendix for the floor plan.)

Construction Timetable: Renovating 10,000 square feet of Wingate Hall will require approximately a 20-week schedule. Each stage is carefully planned to guarantee efficient upgrades while minimizing disruptions. 

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Demolition/Prep

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Floor Installation

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Wall painting

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LED Light Installation

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Gaming and Quiet Lounge Setup

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Final Touches and Signage

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Fig. 5: Our schedule/timetable for construction.








Costs and Benefits:
Costs: The project has an estimated total cost ranging from $2.86 million to $8.71 million, with a more adjusted estimate between $1.92 million to $5.83 million. Expenses include construction, LED lights, entrance renovation, gym equipment like leg press machines and punching bags, in addition to vending machines, chairs, couches, and tables.

Category: Items	Cost Estimate (U.S. Dollars)
Demolition Costs	$98,325
Flooring and Painting	$4,758,000
LED Lighting Replacement	$120,000
Furniture and Appliances	$151,200
Vending Machines and Equipment	$47,000
Labor and Professional Fees	$144,744
Trash and Debris Removal	$31,050
Total	$5,350,319

Fig. 6: Total budget estimated for construction and contents.

Benefits: The redesigned student center offers improvements that create a more welcoming and functional space for City College students. The current outdated look has been replaced with various features such as dark oak wood and light grey walls, giving the center a warm and modern feel. Aspects of our renovations, including soft lighting, enhance the cozy atmosphere, further creating a separation from classroom settings and achieving a more home-like feel. Our renovations include quiet study areas, private rooms, lounges, a cafeteria, game rooms, and a help desk. These additions will support student needs for studying, relaxing, and connecting with others. Overall, these changes will not only improve the physical environment but will also create a stronger sense of student community. Investing in our renovations will provide students with an area that’s clean, inviting, and built specifically for their wants and needs, increasing student retention for City College. 

Experience:

Benny’s Fenny team is interested in various fields of study, with different upbringings that shape who they are today and lead them to be passionate about their respective fields of study.

Aqdar Alkusari is a junior at the City College of  New York majoring in environmental engineering with two years of prior education in secondary education for math and science. Aqdar graduated from Northside Charter High School and spent the first two years of college exploring an education degree. In the process, she developed a deep interest for the environment, realizing that she was born to return to the earth. After a lot of research, she decided that environmental engineering at the City College of New York was the most fitting for her. During her time as an education major, she worked at an after-school program and summer camp, giving her great communication and problem-solving skills, which she believes are crucial for an environmental engineering major.

Brandon Cabrera Gonzalez is a freshman majoring in Electrical Engineering at The City College of New York. Brandon has a strong interest in power systems, sustainable energy, and technical problem solving. Through his engineering courses and hands-on experience, he developed skills in system troubleshooting and data analysis. He is proficient in MATLAB, SAP2000, and Microsoft Office tools, enabling him to effectively analyze and communicate technical findings. Brandon also gained extensive leadership and teamwork experience through his volunteer work at the Glow Cultural Center. As an Assistant Manager, he led a team of 20 volunteers, coordinated events for over 500 attendees, and implemented training programs that improved retention rates. His ability to manage teams, delegate tasks, and foster collaboration has strengthened his leadership and organizational skills. In Brandon’s free time, he enjoys reading, watching anime, playing guitar, and collecting Pokémon cards. His experiences have helped shape his adaptability, leadership, and problem-solving mindset.

Cherno Diallo is a freshman at The City College of New York with an interest in economics. He was born and raised in New York City by immigrants from West Africa. Throughout his life, he explored his interests like video games and art. He also gave back to his community by organizing canned food drives for the homeless and wrapping Christmas gifts for children in an orphanage. In the summer of 2023, Cherno was selected to participate in the Stevens Institute of Technology Summer Exposure program, where he gained early insight into the college experience. He learned to create an IBM calculator using Python 3. He created a presentation of the project and presented it to the class. 

Joey Lam is a freshman majoring in Mechanical Engineering at The City College of New York. At Aviation Career and Technical High School, she learned technical skills and attained basic knowledge in areas such as electrical systems, technical drawings, and other courses relating to aviation mechanics. In her senior year, Joey took on the role of president for the UNICEF Club, where she gathered students, organized events, and coordinated fundraisers. During high school, Joey gained work experience through a position as a front desk receptionist. This role provided her with experience in customer service, scheduling appointments, and managing financial transactions. For multiple summers, Joey also worked for a program in Queens, New York, where she supported community-building initiatives through various means of community service. During this program, she learned about mental/emotional health and how communities are impacted by it. Joey is also passionate about creative hobbies and hands-on projects, influencing her decision to pursue mechanical engineering.

James Walsh is a freshman at The City College of New York interested in Computer Engineering. James has been interested in technology and engineering from a young age. He has extensive experience with building computers and repairing broken technology, which has helped him build knowledge and skill in the field. James has worked as a porter since he was 14, providing him with work experience and teaching him to be resourceful. In high school, he was the starting light heavyweight on the varsity wrestling team, placing 3rd in the Manhattan borough tournament. Through this, he was taught responsibility and the value of hard work, shaping him into a good problem solver.

Conclusion:

The City College of New York’s current student center is insufficient in fostering a sense of community and increasing retention rates. Renovations would not only provide academic benefits but also social benefits. Improvements like the new study rooms give students a place to focus, do work, and study for their classes. The student center will encourage socialization, helping students feel connected and a part of a community. In the future, we can expect increased student retention and community engagement. Improvements in students’ grades may be seen through our changes, such as the resources offered at the student center. Our student center renovations will benefit multiple parties, as students’ quality of life on campus will be improved, and City College can anticipate a greater number of students who stay the full four years.

References:

City College of New York Fact Sheet. (n.d.). https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/sites/default/files/2024-02/20240202_Fall%202023%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOoqWduA_ZVkTvofs8UggJ_5dbsjTk7V8dxcWCgeSsmjgd1z0Z7NK

City College of New York Fall 2022 Fact Sheet. (n.d.). https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/sites/default/files/2023-03/20230307_IR%20Fact%20Sheet_Fall%202022.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOoo80uC428D-mua_3GHGE5crs4N5ktUbP59LP9Gej3230jzIGXMr

Harlan, S., Rade, C. B., & Oliver, B. (2024). Undergraduate Student Perceptions of and Barriers to Accessing Student Success Center Resources. The Learning Assistance Review, 29(2), 185+. https://link-gale-com.ccny-proxy1.libr.ccny.cuny.edu/apps/doc/A828316759/AONE?u=cuny_ccny&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=ba6331d8

The City College of New York Graduation Rate & Retention Rate. (2013, May). Collegefactual.com; College Factual. https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/cuny-city-college/academic-life/graduation-and-retention/

Appendix:

Fig. 7: General floor plan for the first floor.

Fig. 8: Detailed floor plan of the first floor. Features are not to scale.

Fig. 9: General floor plan for the second floor.

Fig. 10: Detailed floor plan of the second floor. Features are not to scale.


Fig. 11: General floor plan for the third floor.