Think of the Possibilities...The Campaign for TC3

Key Components of the Plan

Learning Commons

Imagine the Learning Commons as the academic heart of TC3. Picture it as a spectacular visual focal point, reflecting the central place of learning in the college’s mission. The Learning Commons is not a library or a computer lab. Instead, it seamlessly blends books, digital resources, and multimedia. It embraces the convergence of resources for learning and engages students as active participants in a discovery learning process.

Today’s employers demand teamwork and collaboration. Future employees need to have the ability to work with varied technologies. The Learning Commons will help our students prepare for work in this environment.

The Learning Commons will feature furnishings the encourage students to explore the treasures of the printed word as well as those in the digital realm. Students and staff will choose among wire computer workstations and wireless laptop computers. It will provide space for collaborative student work and tutorial services.

New Classrooms

The College desperately needs new classrooms. Because of a strong enrollment growth the college has already converted hallways and storage areas into instructional space. The master plan will create approximately 12 new classrooms, both by constructing new space and reconfiguring existing space. Included with the new classroom space will be a new state-of-the-art Nursing Skills Center and a new biology lab to support our newest academic program in biotechnology. New classrooms will relieve pressure on existing space and create room for future growth.

Digital Media Center

Dynamic. Fluid. Flexible. A community resource, designed to integrate new technologies as they emerge. These are some of the ways we’ll describe our new Digital Media Center.

In our global, digital world, employers of all sizes demand communications professionals who understand new media. Students in digital media rarely work in a traditional classroom. Instead, they work as members of production teams on real world projects. They work with faculty mentors to develop a media plan that might include CD-ROM, DVD, a web site, print brochures, and a TV/radio campaign.

The Digital Media Center will serve in degree programs in animation and web demising, which are perfect complements to existing programs in broadcasting, photography, and graphics. Student interest is red hot in these fields and skilled communicators are in high demand.

Athletic Facility

The proposed Athletic Facility will place TC3 on par with its counterparts. The space will include a basketball court, fitness center, and multi-use field house. In high demand by our students, prospective students, and the community, the venue (which will be attached to the main building) accomplishes many things:

Provides space for TC3’s growing intercollegiate athletics program. Of SUNY’s 30 community colleges, TC3 is only one of three without such a facility.
Meets a strong demand for recreational space among our students, especially among our 415 residential students.
Meets a strong community demand for indoor soccer and box lacrosse facilities. More than 2,000 local youth play on indoor soccer teams and 1,000 play indoor lacrosse. Our facility will complement others in our community.
It provides a facility for high school and intercollegiate playoffs and tournaments in wrestling, basketball, and volleyball. The college is often asked to host playoff games and tournaments because of its central location, but cannot do so without an adequate facility.
Through tournaments and playoffs, we will draw more than 40,000 people to our campus and community each year, for an estimated economic impact of more than $2 million annually.

Funding

Both Tompkins and Cortland counties have approved the college’s master plan. The master plan is funded by a partnership that includes the two counties, the State of New York and private philanthropy.

TC3 has a reputation for innovation. The completed project, which accommodates student growth and our increasing portfolio of degree programs, will position the college to serve our community for the foreseeable future. We will have a full and vibrant campus life, an ability to use current technologies and rapidly integrate new ones that enhance teaching and learning. Focused on learning, the college will also draw people for business training, conferences, cultural events, and athletics.

We are committed to raising $3 million of private support for this project. Your partnership with us will pay dividends well into the future as you invest in your community college.