Students, faculty, and staff returning to Rainy River Community College in the next few weeks will notice the campus has received a face lift.
Freshly painted walls, new carpet in the library, a bigger bookstore, new furniture, and an Internet Cafe are among the changes introduced to the Humanities Building.
“Deb Spry, one of our students, got us started on this,” said LeAnne Hardy, director of student services and RRCC campus manager.
Spry, who is very involved in the campus, said the idea stemmed from the need for a place for students and staff to congregate.
“We needed a place to gather,” she said.
Ideas started flowing and the decision to turn the Learning Center into an Internet Cafe was born.
“I’m excited for students and staff to come back and see what has been done,” said Spry who helped decorate the two-room cafe.
The main room of the Internet Cafe gives off a more comfortable feel with two leather couches and a lounge chair. There are also computers for use and wireless for those who bring their own laptops.
A table and chairs as well as stools are located just off the main room for more seating and gathering opportunities. The room will soon have a single-cup coffee brewer for anyone to purchase a cup of coffee.
Hardy said the cafe was made possible from a small campus grant from the college foundation.
“I didn’t think we would see this (Internet Cafe) this year,” Hardy said. “I think it is awesome.”
Hardy added that the room isn’t just for students, it’s for staff, faculty and the community.
“We get a lot of people walking in the morning,” she said. “We want them to stop in, have a cup of coffee, and visit with our people here. This is a gathering space for everybody.”
Hardy noted that the room doesn’t have a name yet. Staff members are waiting for students to return to name it.
Other changes
The once white hallway walls throughout the Humanities Building are now full of color. Terry Wood of Rainy Lake Designs was hired as a color consultant by the campus and Hardy said she is thrilled with the colors he has chosen.
“He (Wood) did an excellent job,” she said.
The library has new carpet as well as a “bigger, better” bookstore, Hardy said. The additional space in the bookstore will allow for more RRCC clothing and books.
The room that previously was the bookstore is being transformed into a quiet study area for students.
For one summer, Hardy says the improvements have gone above and beyond her expectations. “Our maintenance staff has played a key role in this process,” she said.
Hardy is hopeful that a new project will come along every year for the campus.
“Everything was student initiated,” she concluded. “I think it’s neat that students tell us what they want. The returning students are psyched (about the changes) and are already stopping in.”
