Campus Enhancements Continue Through the Summer Months

St. John Fisher University has continued its campus facilities investment with a $7 million slate of construction and renovation projects scheduled throughout over the past few months.

New Communications Suite Coming to Basil Hall

The expansion and renovation of approximately 3,200 square feet on the second floor of Basil Hall will provide a new, state-of-the-art Communications Suite for the University’s media and communication program. Work includes an expanded broadcasting studio, a relocated and expanded control room with a direct visual connection into the studio, a four-person podcasting studio, a video essay studio, and a lobby/lounge for collaboration and display.

The new Communications Suite will create a collaborative and professionally focused environment that brings instruction, production, post-production, student media organizations, and faculty support into closer proximity. The suite will become a dynamic hub for student clubs including Cardinal Television, the Cardinal Courier, PRIMA, PRSSA, as well as other collaborative projects, and provide a highly visible representation of the creative energy within the department. 

“My hope is that students enter the new suite and think, ‘This is a space designed for us to create, collaborate, and prepare for our careers,’” said Cecil Felton, media center director. “Beyond the physical improvements, I want the suite to generate excitement, pride, and a stronger sense of community among students across our programs including  media and communication, public relations, film and television, and our student-led organizations.”

The newly renovated suite will also include a contiguous Mac Lab, moving from Basil’s first floor, fueling the natural connection between learning and making. Felton notes that this way, a faculty member can introduce a concept, demonstrate a technique, and then have students move directly into editing or production without losing momentum. The proximity will allow students to receive assistance quickly when they encounter technical challenges or need creative guidance.

“The new suite will allow me to teach media production as a more integrated and immersive process, rather than treating the classroom, computer lab, television studio, and editing environment as separate destinations. Now courses can operate more like professional creative workshops,” added Felton. 

Polisseni Track and Field Complex Resurfacing

Following the spring semester, the Polisseni Track and Field Complex has undergone major upgrades. The grass infield was replaced with NFL approved sod, drainage has been updated, and the track surface has been removed, repaved, and replaced with higher grade Benyon 1000 versus the old Benyon 300. According to Jen Granger, director of athletics and recreation, this grade of track is now becoming a standard in college athletics due to its delivering of optimal shock absorbency and superior energy return to athletes. Additional markings are being added to the track surface to allow the University the opportunity to host high school state meets.

Wegmans School of Nursing Classroom Renovations 

Classrooms 101, 102, and 103 in the Wegmans School of Nursing are being renovated with upgraded carpeting, lighting, and paint, along with new furniture and modern classroom instructional technology upgrades. 

The renovations advance Fisher’s ongoing efforts to update learning spaces across campus. The Wegmans School of Nursing in particular continues to modernize its classrooms to support the latest and most impactful instructional and learning methods, including active learning techniques, peer-to-peer collaboration, and interactive, technology-supported student engagement. Notably, Nursing 103 is being transformed to facilitate group collaboration and multi-screen interactions during lessons, creating a dynamic environment where students can analyze clinical scenarios together, share work in real time, and stay actively engaged.

Additional Campus Improvements 

Several additional campus improvements and enhancements have been completed this summer. Repair and resurfacing of the exterior stairs leading into the Donald E. Bain Campus Center was done to improve safety and accessibility along a high-traffic pedestrian route. Resetting and repair of the granite pavers took place at Lavery Library’s south Upper Quad entrance. Structural, surface, and fencing repairs were made to the Michaelhouse bridge. Finally, new carpeting throughout the residence hall wing of Murphy Hall was complete by the end of June.