Keuka College’s Academic Learning Commons is getting a new attraction.
The popular ASK Desk, the College’s ask-me-anything resource, is saying goodbye to its home outside the Writing Center in Hegeman Hall and, as of Tuesday, Nov. 1, will be centrally located in the new commons, on the lower level of Lightner Library.
“The plan all along has been to infuse the Academic Learning Commons with a variety of student-support and academic-success resources,” said Assistant Provost Dr. Malia Spofford Xavier. “Relocating the ASK Desk is an important first step in this process.”
The ASK Desk was launched at the beginning of the 2021-22 academic year. It was the brainchild of Director of the Writing Center and Tutoring Services Catherine Agar, who worked with Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Dr. Carrie Roberts to implement it. Open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, the desk is staffed by a rotating contingent of students, faculty, and staff who field questions on everything from how to replace a lost ID card to where to find the best local pizza.
The ASK Desk complements academic support services including the Writing Center, Tutoring Services, and study skills mentoring, and helps students identify and access departments including the Registrar, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Residence Life, IT, Mental Health and Wellness, and Student Accessibility.
“The ASK Desk serves as the centerpiece around which the Academic Learning Commons was designed,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Brad Fuster. “The vision was always to normalize asking for assistance and engaging with curiosity by placing the ASK Desk at the heart of an attractive study space that features coffee and snacks, and an unsurpassed lakefront view.”
Augmenting the ASK experts are members of the Sigma Lambda Sigma Honor Society, which this year is launching several new initiatives aimed at building campus and community partnerships and promoting the health and academic success of the student body.
SLS members have made staffing the ASK Desk one of their 2022-23 service projects.
Phase One of the Academic Learning Commons opened to the College community on Aug. 29. The space has been transformed into an open, sun-filled area for research and study, complete with workstations, dining booths, and a new snack shop called Market C.
The commons is open to students during regular library hours:
Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday noon – 4 p.m.
Sunday 3-9 p.m.
Phase Two of renovations, which will complete the commons, will co-locate vital student support services along with breakout and presentation spaces on the lower level of the Lightner Library, said Dr. Fuster.
“This way, many of the student queries at the ASK Desk can be immediately resolved by the appropriate staff member all under one roof,” he added.
