School of Management celebrates opening of new undergraduate center

By Matthew Biddle

BUFFALO, N.Y. —  For Siddharth Khandelwal, a business administration student, the vibrant colors and advanced technology throughout the University at Buffalo School of Management’s Undergraduate Learning and Community Center remind him more of Google’s lively offices than any traditional academic setting.

“From the brightly colored walls to the comfortable chairs and couches, everything works together to make this a perfect interactive workspace for students,” Khandelwal said. “Because the center is exclusively for School of Management undergraduate students, it gives me a sense of belonging to the school and allows me to share experiences with students from the same field.”

In a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 30, the UB School of Management celebrated the opening of its new Undergraduate Learning and Community Center, a destination for more than 2,900 undergraduates in the school to connect with their peers and develop skills for lifelong success.

Located in the lower level of the Jacobs Management Center, the 5,800-square-foot space includes tutoring facilities, three classrooms, a glass-walled breakout room and the Frank and Marilyn Clement Undergraduate Community Hub, named for the center’s lead donors.

Seattle residents Frank, BS ’66, and Marilyn Clement were present to cut the ribbon before an audience that included faculty, staff, students and alumni.

“The Undergraduate Learning and Community Center is a place for our undergraduates to gather and feel at home from the moment they step on campus,” said Paul E. Tesluk, interim dean of the School of Management.

“The state-of-the-art center will help attract the best students to the School of Management, further cementing our reputation as one of the best business schools in the world,” Tesluk added.

At the ribbon-cutting celebration, UB President Satish K. Tripathi said, “This is truly an impressive learning space, and one I’m sure students will enjoy for years to come.”

“This beautiful center is a powerful testament to the enduring impact donors have on our university and their vital role in advancing UB’s vision to provide the best possible learning environment for our students,” Tripathi said.

Within the facility, undergraduates can take advantage of a variety of services to help them meet their academic goals. Center-certified tutors lead one-on-one and group tutoring for several courses, and an ESL coach is available to assist international students with their English skills and adjustment to American culture. Study groups, open work sessions and workshops are also offered.

During a guided tour, Connie Hanel, the center’s manager, pointed out technology throughout the space that enhances the undergraduate experience. Charging stations in the Community Hub allow students to charge their laptops and smartphones as they work. In the recitation classrooms, each six-person workstation provides a laptop for every student and is positioned around a flat-screen TV, on which the instructor can broadcast information to every workstation simultaneously.

The center was made possible by a $500,000 gift from the Clements, with matching funding from the UB Provost’s Office and an additional anonymous contribution.

Ronald Van Splunder, manager of architectural support, UB Facilities Planning and Design, served as lead architect on the project.