Message from the Dean: Computer Science Laboratories Building Now Open!

October 24, 2025
Community
image of female student in protective gear exploring the new Manning CICS Computer Science Laboratories building

Dear CICS Students, 

The moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here! Our brand-new, 90,000-square-foot building is officially open and ready for you to explore. While a few finishing touches are still in progress, now’s the perfect time to start settling in and making the space feel like home.

This space was designed to bring our community together to connect, collaborate, and create. It’s your new home at UMass Amherst, and we can’t wait for you to make the most of it.

If you didn’t get a sneak peek during move-in last week, here’s a glimpse of what’s waiting for you at 130 Governors Drive: 

  • An undergraduate commons with seating, kitchenette, and storage lockers (1st floor atrium)
  • A 240-person auditorium and lecture hall (1st floor; opening soon!)
  • The new and improved Snack Overflow Café (2nd floor; opening soon!)
  • A new 4,000 sq. ft. home for the Physical Computing Makerspace (3rd floor)
  • Lounges just for master’s and doctoral students (3rd and 4th floors)
  • Plenty of meeting and collaboration spaces throughout (opening soon!)  

The building is still getting a few final touches, so you may see wet paint or closed conference rooms for now. Please read the signs and pop into a faculty or staff office if you’re unsure about access. Note, too, that the building is currently open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Friday; 24/7 UCard access is coming soon.  

We’re planning some fun opening-week activities during the first week of November, including a book party celebrating the publication of "Dancing with Roomba" by roboticist Joseph L. Jones on Nov. 4, and a Student Open House on Nov. 6. Keep an eye on your email and our social media channels for details. 

In the meantime, stop by anytime! Grab a comfy seat, meet up with friends, snap a photo (and tag @manningcics), or swing by the dean’s suite on the fourth floor to say hello. 

Welcome to your new space, CICS students. We are so excited to see what you’ll create here. 

Go UMass! And Go CICS!  
 
Warm regards,  

Keith Marzullo  
Donna M. and Robert J. Manning Dean
Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences

P.S. We’d love to see your first impressions! Share your photos and tag @manningcics or use #ManningCICS so we can celebrate with you. 

Article posted in Community