Language Learning Center grand opening set for Oct. 16

NEW PALTZ — The State University of New York at New Paltz will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening for its new state-of-the-art Language Learning Center at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16, in Lecture Center 112. State Sen. John J. Bonacic, who secured $100,000 of state funding to complete the project, will be the guest of honor.

The $558,000 center will allow New Paltz to expand the depth and breadth of its language learning offerings using state-of-the-art technology. It will support planned new majors in foreign languages and communication education and will facilitate the introduction of a number of interdisciplinary offerings across the curriculum.

The center offers exciting possibilities for regional school districts with respect to continuing education for foreign language teachers and synchronistic distance learning programs in languages not commonly available at the secondary level. The center also positions New Paltz as a leading venue for foreign-language instruction within SUNY by acting as a hub for SUNY-wide video conferencing of less traditional languages, such as Arabic, Korean, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Swahili and Portuguese.

The center is divided into two labs located in Lecture Center 110 and 112. Each lab has 25 workstations, including four stations for disabled students. Each station is a private work area with ergonomically designed furniture and adjustable, indirect lights for a glare-free environment.

Note to editors: If you plan to attend, please contact the Office of Public Affairs at (845) 257-3245 by Oct. 15 for directions. State Sen. John J. Bonacic and SUNY New Paltz officials will be available for comments.