On March 19, the big move begins, as offices ranging from Admissions to the Faculty Senate relocate into their new home in the Student Success Building (SSB).
The $62 million structure offers a number of amenities, including new employee workstations and lots of natural light and open space.
The open-space work environment in the SSB is a function of the building’s environmentally friendly design and input from the cross-functional, college-wide Student Success Building Committee.
“The open space culture allows us to model the workplace that most students will find themselves in when they leave college,” says Metro State President Stephan Jordan. “It is a student success building.”
Studies show that open-space work environments can increase employee productivity, especially when work processes are redesigned and people are trained to take advantage of the collaborative environment. A groundbreaking study by UCLA showed that open, team-oriented environments increased performance and accuracy dramatically.
Employees working in the Student Success Building will have individual workstations as well as access to “visitor offices” of varying sizes for small-group meetings and private conversations. There are also ample numbers of break rooms and other community spaces, including an upper-level outdoor patio overlooking the building’s living green roof (a feature that can slash heating and cooling costs).
“It’s the kind of building that by design fosters openness in terms of culture,” Jordan explains. “Because of its openness, it will foster more discussion and teamwork. Those are all elements businesses are looking for in employees.”
The SSB’s design, too, was shaped by the student referendum, which approved the fees to pay for the building. The referendum asked for a minimum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, which the building has achieved.
The certification means that the SSB passed an independent, third-party evaluation for sustainability. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, the LEED point system offers four levels of certification, Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum, recognizing the design and construction of buildings for their performance in human and environmental health. Points are awarded in the areas of sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. LEED certification is the international standard for design excellence in sustainability.
Read more about the move at ssb/move.
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