SUNY New Paltz opens new Welcome Center

NEW PALTZ — The State University of New York at New Paltz held a grand opening celebration today for the Welcome Center located in the first-floor lobby of the Haggerty Administration Building. The new center offers information for prospective students and visitors to campus.

The ceremony included remarks from President Steven Poskanzer, who stated in his 2004 inaugural speech, “Just as we strive to be student-centered, we also need to be public-centered in our role as host. To greet visitors we shall create a gateway – a more obvious entrance – to our campus.”

The center promotes cultural attractions and intellectual offerings at New Paltz throughout the lobby. Kiosks offer overviews of the five schools, international programs, student life and admissions. In addition, two computer kiosks provide access to the SUNY New Paltz Web site and other online campus resources. There are also glass display cases that feature monthly exhibitions from members of the art department and a permanent display of reproductions of paintings from the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art.

Visitors can enjoy the new lounge area, which has been outfitted with furniture by renowned Modernist designer Florence Knoll Bassett, and a refreshment area stocked with complimentary beverages.

Rachel Reuben, director of the Welcome Center, said that the information desk, which has already been in operation for one month and is staffed with New Paltz students and retired faculty, has assisted more than 400 visitors.

“It is satisfying to see the vision for the center become a reality,” said Reuben. “It’s so much bigger and better than I ever imagined.”

Reuben said that soon the lounge would have wireless Internet access and a 40″ LCD television broadcasting announcements for upcoming campus events and episodes of the “On Campus” television program.

The Welcome Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and one weekend a month through May, with future hours to be announced. Visitors can also purchase a one-day visitor parking permit when the center is open.

The new Welcome Center Web site, which can be accessed at www.newpaltz.edu/welcomecenter, features information and news related to the center, as well as links to a campus map, directions to the campus, information on center employment opportunities, hours of operation and a “Meet the Staff” page.

For more information, contact the Welcome Center staff at (845) 257-SUNY.