Kent State’s new Regional Academic Center in Twinsburg opened its doors August 13 to students and staff.

Before: The “Old School”

Before the new center opened, students took classes in a building that many referred to as the “Old School.” This facility was built in 1921 and served as an elementary school in the Twinsburg school system at one time. Eventually, the building was leased from the City of Twinsburg, and, once moved in, Kent State students and staff occupied the entire building.

Scott Swan, regional campus center manager, said the “Old School” was not fit for modern learning.

“It wasn’t wireless. It was not accessible,” Swan said. “It limited our students.”

Kent State did not allow for facility renovations because it was so debilitated.

“The law kept us from adding an elevator,” said Tom Hoiles, director of student services and enrollment. “We ran out of parking and outgrew the building altogether.”

Staff and students needed a new place to teach and learn. Swan said students were excited when they saw the new school plans.

“We were all looking forward to it,” Swan said. “We had a countdown to the opening of the new school.”

Now: A new place to learn

In the new building, an array of colors in classrooms and hallways welcomes students. Each wing has its own seasonal theme, along with seating and study areas.

Large windows that nearly reach the top of the two-story building cast natural light into areas, saving energy. Each window has a sunshade to deflect heat and glare.

Swan said the campus invested in a kind of grass that grows extremely slow so the lawn does not have to be mowed as often.

“This building is very green,” Swan said. “The temperature adjusts in a classroom according to the activity in a room, which saves energy.”

The new center also updated its technology. The building is wireless, including four suite classrooms that are computerized. Projectors in these suites are located in the front of the classroom and aim directly down onto the dry-erase boards.

Professors are able to teach in front of their boards without causing an image to project on them. Students are also provided to work in state-of-the-art chemistry labs.

“There haven’t been any complaints about the new building, except that there is no caramel coffee maker,” said Swan. “We’re working on getting that for our students.”

Rachel Sluss is the regional campus beat reporter for the Daily Kent Stater.

Contact Rachel Sluss at [email protected].