The modern, re-imagined student hub features flexible study areas, lounges, and meeting rooms designed to invite collaboration and enhance the Rutgers student experience.

High-tech huddle rooms for meetings. Well-designed, modern furniture to relax. Administrators at Rutgers School of Health Professions (SHP) announced plans to open a state-of-the-art student study center, marking another exciting renovation project for the Newark campus. The new space is designed for students to take a break from the stresses of school and work.

Tucked away on the first floor of the Stanley S. Bergen building, contractors have been refurbishing a 1,200-square-foot space for the past six months and the school plans to open the center this summer. When fully constructed, the newly renovated student study center will feature a modern lounge with colorful furnishings and cozy seating for Rutgers SHP students. The repurposed area will also house huddle rooms, equipped with audio and video capabilities for students to socialize, study together, and develop a community. Huddle rooms are a popular trend on college campuses and are designed for ad hoc collaboration and teamwork.

“Nothing is more important than creating a place where students can come together and make it their own. The new student study center promises to be a dynamic and energizing space where students can collaborate and build a sense of community across health disciplines,” said Alma Merians, interim dean of Rutgers School of Health Professions.

Given Rutgers deep history of supporting students, Merians said the space was originally used as offices for the student affairs department but has lived through several iterations in recent years. She added it should become a student-centered space. “This building was once a hospital, and the inherent architecture makes it challenging to foster a community. We are doing everything possible to make this a student-centric environment. A place where students want to be, beyond attending their classes.”

The refreshed space was given a modern makeover by Chelsey Wolf, an interior designer from Rutgers Planning, Development, and Design department. Wolf partnered with staff members from the School of Health Professions Dean’s Office to implement the design concept and space planning proposal. According to Nikia Gowdy, facilities project coordinator, the student study center was built to foster a sense of community among students.

“With each renovation project, we intend to redesign spaces with a modern look and welcoming atmosphere, where students can learn, get together, and recharge. Working with Chelsey, we created a comfortable area that caters to the needs of our student population. We hope students enjoy it as much as we enjoyed designing it,” Gowdy said.

After its initial run as a hospital, Wolf pointed out that with large spaces, noise problems typically occur, such as in the case of this renovation project. She used recycled acoustical wall material to reduce the sound level issue to make the new space quieter. Along with the sound reduction efforts, charging stations have been added to the seats and tables, giving students easy access to electricity while working.

Students can access the center on the first floor, across from the elevators. Although a soft opening is scheduled for the summer, an official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be announced this fall.

New Spaces Around the School

As one of the largest and most diverse health professions schools of its kind in the country, SHP has completed a slate of facility projects to improve learning and teaching on its Newark campus. In addition to the new center, upgrades to auditoriums, teaching spaces, and research labs have created a more welcoming atmosphere and prepared students for the evolving field of health professions. This is significant given the school’s commitment to ensuring that the future of learning meets the future of work.

“We have created several innovative spaces in the Bergen building,” said Merians. “One of them is our Sensory Motor Lab, which provides hands-on educational experiences for our graduate students in occupational therapy but also opens the door for community engagement.”

Renovation plans are also underway to transform a lecture hall on the university’s Piscataway campus into a central teaching space for Rutgers School of Health Professions.

Rutgers School of Health Professions is the largest, most comprehensive health professions school in the country. Graduates are prepared with the knowledge, skills, and intellectual approach necessary to become progressive, innovative, and interprofessional practitioners and leaders in the ever-changing healthcare landscape. Our school will continue to be a leader in our disciplines by developing programs that anticipate and respond to the healthcare needs of the community; increasing and expanding our academic, clinical, and research partnerships around the world; and continuing our efforts in technological advancement. To learn more visit www.shp.rutgers.edu.