Faculty of Nursing unveils new student space

For those familiar with the bottom floor of the Professional Faculties Building, prepare to be astounded: it is almost unrecognizable as the same space it was before hoarding and plastic went up at the end of May. Walls have been removed and the former student area, which held no more than 50 people standing, has expanded to accommodate 100. Motion-sensitive light fixtures intensify the natural light coming in from the huge windows and an 80-inch screen magnifies messages to students and staff.

“This floor has always been the central gathering spot for our students,” explains Janessa Burke, Undergraduate Nursing Society (UNS) president, in her final year of the Bachelor of Nursing program. “We are so excited to move back and have room to stretch out, areas to study with groups and to just hang out with our friends. With over 800 of us in the undergrad program alone, you can imagine that it was pretty cramped in here before. I am really excited to have this functional space for us.”

The space houses a dedicated UNS office plus six offices for Nursing’s undergraduate team for easy access by the students they service.

“This renovation exceeds all our expectations and I can’t wait for the rest of campus, and in particular, our nursing students, faculty and staff to see it for the first time,” say Leda Stawnychko, Faculty of Nursing manager of administration, who directed the construction from concept to completion. “It has been a challenge to find appropriate study spaces for our students amidst our severe square-footage shortage in this building. As a hub for students as well as our main event space, it just no longer served our needs and we were long overdue for a makeover.”

Stawnychko submitted funding applications through the CAR/FAR program and obtained half of the funding needed for this year’s renovation from Nursing’s own budget. Some staff had to shuffle to temporary quarters, but Stawnychko says she hopes everyone feels that it was worth it. “Growth is not without some inconvenience. I am grateful to everyone who put up with the mess and the bother; the end result is definitely satisfying.”

“I couldn’t be more thrilled with this new area,” says Dean Dianne Tapp, who saw the renovated space for the first time this week. “The faculty has been contending with severe shortage of space in recent years. While we await a long-term solution, we are delighted to have the support of the university CAR/FAR funding initiative, as this development will significantly benefit our students. We are committed to building a sense of community and belonging amongst students, faculty and staff, and this is a huge step in support of this strategic priority.”