RIT’s Golisano College Faculty and Staff Move in to New Home

Classes in computing and information sciences will begin in new facility this March

A new environment accompanies a new year for some faculty and staff at Rochester Institute of Technology. Operations at RIT’s B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences—one of the nation’s leading providers of computer-related studies—are being transferred into a brand new building on campus.

While construction crews complete their finishing touches, GCCIS faculty and staff are setting up shop in the new "wireless" facility. It begins the process of consolidating most of the college’s activities—formerly conducted in a half dozen buildings across campus—under one roof.

"This impressive building represents the future of the Golisano College," says Jorge Diaz-Herrera, GCCIS dean. "We strive to be best in the world at helping superior students develop into balanced computing professionals that can effectively apply theory, principles and technology from the whole spectrum of computing in a wide range of domains."

The transition comes only 15 months after RIT officials broke ground on the three-story, 177,000-square-foot building. Last year’s mild winter and a relatively dry summer helped the workers from Pike Construction Co. move the project along at a brisk pace.

The facility includes a sun-lit atrium, a 150-seat auditorium, over a dozen classrooms, ample laboratory and conference space, student lounges on each floor and wireless technology throughout. Designing and completing this important project was a collaborative effort.

"The number of people who’ve had input in this process is remarkable," explains Kim Shearer, GCCIS director of operations. "From the beginning, department chairs were consulted about their needs, as well as faculty and department staff. RIT’s Facilities Management staff has been wonderful about accommodating requests as we went along."

The B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences was created in 2001 through a $14 million gift from B. Thomas Golisano, chairman and CEO of Paychex Inc. The college prepares students for high-growth fields in computer science, information technology, software engineering and related disciplines. GCCIS is believed to be the largest comprehensive computing college in the nation.

Classes in the new building will begin in March with the start of spring quarter. A dedication ceremony is scheduled for May 2.