Campuses Mobilize After Terrorist Attack

Baruch College’s long-awaited, eagerly-anticipated new “vertical campus” opened for classes on August 27th. The 17-story edifice of brick, aluminum and glass, designed by the award-winning architectural firm of Kohn Pedersen & Fox, soars in a graceful arc high over Lexington Avenue and occupies almost the entire city block between East 24th and 25th Streets.

The primary interior design feature is a series of three stacked atriums, which substitute for traditional, horizontal college quadrangles and provide open space and natural light for occupants. The first atrium rises from the ground floor to the fifth floor, with a glass curtain wall facing Baruch’s Information and Technology Building, across Bernard Baruch Way. Another, wider atrium rises above that, from the fifth to eighth floors, and a third, against the southern wall of the building, rises from the eighth to the thirteenth floors with a dramatic glass curtain that offers views of all Lower Manhattan.

The building’s nearly 800,000 square feet houses 14 research labs, 36 computer labs, more than 500 administrative and faculty offices, two auditoriums (500 and 300 seats), a food court, a greatly expanded bookstore, pool and basketball court. Each of the more than 100 technology-rich classrooms features a lectern or podium outfitted with myriad audio-visual equipment: computers with flat-screen monitors, VCRs, and document cameras connected to ceiling-mounted projection systems. Transit between floors is accomplished with the aid of six roomy state-of-the-art elevators, each holding up to 45 people, and a system of escalators and stairways.

Following the renovation of the Newman Library in 1993, this $319 million structure completes the second phase of an ambitious master plan for Baruch College. Due next, in September, is presentation of an open exterior space plan with the goal of tying together the Baruch facilities from 22nd to 25th Streets with a consistent pattern of lighting, plantings, paving and graphics so that the area will be identifiable as a campus, distinguished from (but harmonious with) the surrounding neighborhood.

The College inaugurated its new academic complex with a series of activities and events to celebrate and implement its new single-campus environment. On August 24th, the Freshman Convocation introduced the entire entering class to the new Vertical Campus, and festivities included a street fair, food, and music. On August 27th the campus opened to classes, and students received assistance in navigating to their destinations from a large staff of “ambassadors” from the College and CUNY’s Office of Facilities Planning, Construction & Management.

During the fall semester, the College plans additional celebrations, orientations and social gatherings for students, faculty and staff. These include a “Welcome Back Event” in October for the graduating class of 2001 and other alumni, and the grand opening of the entire complex in November.