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MCC students start a new downtown experience

Randy Gorbman
/
WXXI News

MCC students who use the downtown Rochester campus started enjoying their new digs Tuesday morning.

The front desk in the lobby at the building next to the Kodak Headquarters Tower was well staffed with student volunteers, teachers and college officials, handing out snacks, and directions to many of the students who were coming into the first building for the first time and may not have been exactly sure where to go.

But it’s a welcome change for a lot of students and staff who had come over from the former downtown Damon Campus in the Sibley building.  Student Kim Statt says the floor plan in the new space makes it easier to learn and collaborate.

“Excited for the new opportunity, the new atmosphere, we’re hoping to keep it nice and homey like before, but we have more floor space , so we can spread out and not be on top of each other.”

Credit Randy Gorbman / WXXI News
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WXXI News

Marjorie Rolleston teaches English for speakers of other languages, and she says an advantage for students she teaches includes the fact it's more convenient to the bus lines.

“For one thing, a lot of my students ride the number 10 bus right down so this is going to be a really convenient location for them, because most of my students take the bus anyway, so this is going to be an easy location for them.”

Joel Frater is executive dean for the downtown campus, and he says it’s all about preparing students for the future.

“It’s about high quality service and it’s about demonstrating to students that we believe strongly in their success, this has to be done in tangible ways.”

Credit Randy Gorbman / WXXI News
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WXXI News

The new campus also includes a student cafe, and other spaces for students to congregate.

The campus houses about 2,000 students. Officials say there are still a few finishing touches they’ll be working on in the days ahead. 

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Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.