The Oasis:
The Student Wellness Center Proposal
April 1st, 2024
By Black and Yellow
Team Members:
Don King Pamolarco
Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe, III
Tsz Wai Wong
Stephan D. Pierre
Introduction
Being a student at The City College of New York (CCNY) means Being a public commuter college, the majority of students leave campus right after their classes are over. Many have obligations off campus, are exhausted after a long day, and have no reason to stay on campus. CCNY is a place of opportunity, so it should feel like one. Buildings like the North Academic Center (NAC) appear flat and lifeless with several classrooms that lack windows. The Marshak building feels cramped with small classrooms and an interior that lacks personality. Attending classes in the Grove School of Engineering building feels like working in a brick. The only building that is remotely enjoyable to spend time in is Shepard Hall, and many of the classrooms are even smaller than the ones in Marshak and frequently have malfunctions (dysfunctional lighting, broken desks, etc.).It is extremely difficult for a college student to thrive in an academic environment where they feel trapped. The campus lacks the proper facilities to make students feel it is worth their time and energy to immerse themselves in the college community. These young scholars need a place where students feel free and relaxed. CCNY needs a new building on campus where students can truly be themselves. Having a building that allows students to study, exercise, and relax between or after classes serves both the students and the other members of CCNY’s extensive community. The college will become far more attractive to seniors and juniors in high school in the college application process. It will also demonstrate to alumni that their contributions to their alma mater are being used to improve the campus, possibly causing even more alumni to donate and further increasing the college’s reputation.
CCNY’s reputation is not the most favorable amongst enrolled students. The campus leaves much for the average commuting student to desire. A substantial percentage of the college’s students are very dissatisfied with the campus’s facilities, and many do not even feel like they are part of the wider campus community. After surveying 102 undergraduate students, we concluded that 21.8% of students go straight home, 15.8% just get food, and 20.8% either get food or go straight home. Over 40% of students surveyed primarily go home after classes, and almost 40% of students primarily get food between or after classes. Combined, nearly 60% of all students either go home or have their lunch when they are not in class. Additionally, 48.5% of all students interviewed expressed that they felt a sense of isolation while on campus. These two metrics are likely closely connected as it is difficult for students to become active members of the campus community when they do not have a place where they can spend quality time with their peers. This disconnect can prove to be a significant issue for students in ways that are outside of the scope of the survey conducted. When analyzing the results of other studies, it was concluded that the Oasis will likely boost overall student productivity and health. It is extremely important for college students to have access to different forms of entertainment and communal support to be successful in a college environment. Having another study location on campus with easy access to campus wifi with the latest technology is conducive to student learning (Amandolare et. al., 2020). Additionally, the effect of physical fitness cannot be understated. College students benefit greatly from being able to exercise as it acts as a healthy stress reducer (Bland et. al., 2014). The student center will be more than a place of leisure; it will also be a place that promotes future academic access and a strong sense of campus community that would never have been present otherwise.
Action Plan
The determining factor for the location of the student center was its availability to the student population. If the location of the Oasis is in a remote location on the campus, students would not actively utilize it. Our student center will be situated between Shepherd Hall and the Howard E. Wille Administration Building. This is a high-traffic area that all students pass through multiple times a day on their way home or between classes and clubs. Its close proximity to the North Academic Center and the Marshak Science Building will make it a place that students can easily visit between or after classes. The Oasis will have 4 floors: a gaming/leisure floor, a study floor, a gym floor, and a basement pool.
Scheduling
To complete this proposal efficiently, a Gantt Chart was created to properly divvy up the work required to compile the necessary information. Over four weeks, the workload was distributed among each group member based on their strengths. The easiest group tasks were completed first, which set the pace for the rest of the group assignments.
Fig. 1
Basement/Pool
The basement of the Oasis is an area for students to be able to enjoy themselves and relax after a long day of classes and work. Of the many students surveyed about what amenities would keep them on campus, one mentioned a pool. Pools are amazing communal spaces that allow for amazing exercise, fun student hangouts, and relaxation. With how hot New York summers can be, a functional pool on campus would be an amazing way to help students chill out while being motivated to work hard throughout the summer semester. For students not trying to escape the heat, spending time in the pool is a great way to meet new people and find a sense of community and comfort they otherwise would not be able to.
Fig. 2
First Floor
We want our students to feel welcomed when they first enter the Oasis. The first floor is where all students will enter to access the rest of the student center. After the initial security check, students will have access to all of the amenities that are meant for them to better enjoy their college experience. Right as the student walks in, there is an E-Sports room to the left. The E-Sports room will have computer gaming set-ups and water fountains. Continuing into the building, there is a large lounge. The lounge space is a resting area for students to recline peacefully while talking to friends, reading, or completing their work if they enjoy background noise. It will have tables, seats, and couches. There are also gender-specific bathrooms, television rooms, and vending machines. The game room will have 12 PCs with gaming chairs.
Fig. 3
Second Floor
We also want our students to have a dedicated area designated for studying. For the second floor of the Oasis, we included a computer lab. This will allow students to access the internet for their assignments and research. We also wanted to include private study cubicles. They include noise-proof walls, allowing students to better focus as they will deal with limited distractions. They also offer a high degree of privacy so students can more easily immerse themselves in their work. We also accounted for large group study sessions. In the middle of the second floor, there is a section for general studying with wooden tables and seats, making it easy for students to collaborate with each other on projects and difficult homework assignments.
Fig. 4
Third Floor
Exercise is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. It helps you maintain confidence, and it also enables people to live long and high-quality lives. Studies show that “a three-month exercise program based on the exercise intervention scheme established by 328 exercise mode can effectively improve college students’ mental health” (Ming Yu 8, 2023). The gym offers various exercise options such as cardio, heavy weights, and a cross-fit space. We have stairmasters and treadmills for cardio. Cable machines, barbells, and dumbells will all be used for strength and plyometric training. We also will have vending machines with various options for hydration. Gender-specific locker rooms will be near the stairs as shown in Fig. 5.
Fig. 5
Costs
The cost breakdown of the construction of the Oasis is displayed in Figures 6 and 7 below. The many different costs and expenses were very meticulously calculated.
| Item | Cost (US Dollars $) |
| Excavation | $1090,000 cubic ft = $900,000 |
| Foundation | $333000 sqft = $99,000 |
| Pool | $1502250 sqft = $337,500 |
| Building Materials | $300,925 |
| Furnishing | Gym Equipment – $115,000E-Sports Room – $32,200Carpeting – $60,000 |
| HVAC | $200090 tons = $180,000 (Goodman Brand) |
| Labor | $70015000 sqft = $10,500,000 |
| Total | $12,600,000 |
Fig. 6
Building Construction
| Building | Length | Cost | Quantity | Total |
| Wood | ½ 4ft. x 8ft Plywood OSB | $30 | 150 | $4,500 |
| Hardwood Flooring Price per Square Foot | $5 | 3000 | $15,000 | |
| Concrete | High Strength Concrete Mix 80lb | $5 | 34,400 | $190,000 |
| Rebar | 1.2 inch x 20ft | $40 | 1196 | $50,000 |
| Paint | Price per Square Foot | $3 | 10,000 | $30,000 |
| Marble | Price per Square Foot | $15 | 777 | $19,425 |
| Total: | $300,925 |
Fig. 7
Benefits
A university’s reputation is one of the most important things for its success. Our student center, the Oasis, offers a great incentive for students to attend the City College of New York. The Oasis offers multiple different ways for students to relieve stress. For instance, the large pool is an enticing amenity that many other public colleges lack on their campuses. An open gym for all students and faculty will promote healthier habits among those who frequent campus. Students can come in after a long day of classes to socialize while exercising with friends. Furthermore, we offer a lounge area on the first floor for students to meet up, chat, and relax. This increases the sense of a student community, promoting overall cooperation and teamwork. Creating a healthy and joyous campus environment will guarantee that more future scholars will want to attend the City College of New York.
Biographies
Stephan Pierre – Stephan Pierre is a First-year undergraduate pursuing computer science at City College Of New York. Going into the field of engineering he wants to make an impactful difference by utilizing lines of code to make the economy more optimal while utilizing the least number of resources for the most amount of gain. People believe this must be done through nature but not necessarily. Technology is advancing at a rapid rate and to be able to be a part of that and make the life of other users more comfortable and adequate can be game-changing. He finds passion in problem-solving and utilizing critical thinking because when you get struck by a wall being able to overcome it is the most rewarding feeling. He likes to go to the gym. After a nice lift, he watches anime such as Vinland Saga and Vagabond. It’s funny he is an engineering major but has a deep love for hospital shows and seeing them diagnose patients reminds him of debugging code and having to take your time and evaluate everything.
Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe, III – Kwame is a Macaulay Honors undergraduate student at the CUNY City College of New York. A Bronx native, he attended the University Heights Secondary School South Bronx Campus where he was a rugby player and a member of the Heights Techies Robotics Team. There, he cultivated his love for the natural sciences into a passion for environmental protection and conservation. After a fulfilling summer internship at the Bronx Zoo, he realized his passion for research and problem-solving. He began to pursue Chemical Engineering, which brought him to City College’s Grove School of Engineering. He is currently a City College Makerspace Super User where he learns how to conduct himself in research spaces with heavy machinery. He yearns to invent new methods of purifying the world’s rivers to make the world a better place.
Tsz Wai Wong – Tsz Wai is an undergraduate student studying mechanical engineering at City College of New York. He immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong in 2012. Ever since he can remember, he has had a burning passion for anything machinery. This passion stemmed from trips to his father’s workplace; the workplace was filled with machines performing all sorts of functions like cutting rods of metal. He kept pursuing his interest in machinery through automotive in high school. To gain some hands-on experience, he participated in different internships at the NYPD, repair shops, and collision repair shops. Now, he works as a College Assistant in the fabrication lab at the Spitzer School of Architecture. Through all of his working experience, He learned the importance of communication, organization, and teamwork. He became proficient in CAD/CAM software and hands-on tools and hopes to one day be able to work in the defense industry.
Don King Pamolarco – Don is a young and aspirational Filipino boy pursuing a Computer Engineering degree at City College of New York. One of the first things that people notice about him is his friendliness and curiosity. As for his interests, he does not confine himself to one hobby; he is always discovering different passions and interests. These include his deep interest in his faith, Catholicism, and reading books. Born in the Philippines and raised in Queens, he has humble beginnings and comes from a family of dreamers. He is driven to help progress society by optimizing its systems and structures. During the pandemic, he worked many odd jobs: dishwasher, cook, gardener, associate, stocker, and cashier. In one of his interviews, he said that one day he will go back to the Philippines to become a leader in the field of computer engineering to innovate and develop the country.
Conclusion
This student center, The Oasis, will be an amazing addition to the CCNY campus. Embodying the needs of today’s university students, it stands out as more than just another building. It’s an area where physical fitness, academic success, and social interaction converge seamlessly. The Oasis provides a sense of belonging, catering to the diverse interests and preferences of all students. This student center not only promotes academic success, but it also teaches students how to have a fulfilling and balanced life beyond the classroom. With the construction of the Oasis, you can look forward to praise and admiration from the students as they will feel heard and accommodated. The Oasis will likely be more than just a student center. Student-organized functions, fund-raisers, seminars, and many other community events can be held in the space. There is nothing better than a place where a person can be themselves and experience others for who they truly are. The Oasis is the future of City College.
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Appendix
Fig. 8
21.8% Go straight home, 20.8% Get food & go straight home, 15.8% Get food
Fig. 9 – 21.8% Go straight home, 20.8% Get food & go straight home, 15.8% Get food
The following link is the raw data for Figures 1 and 2 (too extensive to include directly): Student Center Proposal Survey (Responses)
Spreadsheet of Furnishing Calculations:
The following link contains the numbers for the Building Costs
