The Samuel Rudin Academic Resource Center

Mr. Rudin and President Williams The establishment of the Samuel Rudin Academic Resource Center was a significant event in the recent history of The City College of New York. Building upon trends that included--among other things--increased enrollments, higher SAT scores, and greater numbers of Honors College/Honors Program students, the Rudin Center was designed to provide state-of-the-art facilities and ongoing peer relationships which, combined, would offer 21st-century academic support services to CCNY The Ribbon is Cut students.

In May of 2003, a City College delegation led by President Gregory H. Williams visited Iona College in New Rochelle to inspect the Rudin Center there, a legacy of twenty-five years of support by the Rudin Foundation. Although the sizes, scopes, and missions of the two colleges are quite different,the Iona President and Rudin Center Director there warmly welcomed us. A tour and discussion served to sharpen our planning for a Rudin Center of our own, one specifically designed to the traditions and visions of The City College. Implementation demanded a facility with both high academic standards and aesthetic charm.

Mr. Rudin with Author and Alumnus, Walter Mosley Seventeen months after our Iona visit, on October 12, 2004, Mr. Rudin and President Williams presided over the official opening of the Samuel Rudin Academic Resource Center. Accompanying photographs provide a good sense of the facility. Mr. Rudin is shown seated in the Electronic Classroom, where each of the 25 workstations is synchronized with an electronic board controlled by an instructor, facilitating both group and individual activity. There are two other discreet teaching/learning spaces, as well, one emphasizing peer assistance, the other a sophisticated computer lab. Each space contains 25 workstations, all equipped with Internet access.

Dr. Gladys L. Carro, Director The Samuel Rudin Academic Resource Center is currently home to the CCNY Writing Center, the Electronic Classroom, and the Software Research Project, a multi-year study of using automated web-based software to help students learn how to provide much of their own academic support at their own pace, place, and time.

In the Electronic Classroom, from left, President Williams, Dean J.F. Watts, Prof. Ina Saltz (Art), Mrs. Sarah Williams, Mr. Rudin (seated)

In less than three years the SRARC has already reached full capacity and is making a major contribution to the lives of students at The City College.