Innovation Has a New Home: Opening Week at the Computer Science Laboratories
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At the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS), the future of computing has a new home. After three years of planning and anticipation, the Computer Science Laboratories (CSL) opened its doors at 130 Governors Drive—a 90,000-square-foot facility designed to inspire collaboration, community, and innovation.
Connected to the existing Computer Science Building and situated on the north side of campus, the CSL brings together students, faculty, classrooms, research labs, and community spaces under one roof. The building reflects both the college’s rapid growth over the past decade and, through sustainable design and building practices, its long-standing commitment to the common good.
“Our new state-of-the-art building heralds a new era for the college,” said Prashant Shenoy, associate dean of new building systems and distinguished professor. “Designed with student needs at its heart, it features inviting undergraduate and graduate commons as well as huddle rooms that foster collaboration, study, and community.”
A Week of Celebration and First Impressions
The CSL’s opening week gave the campus community an early look at what the building makes possible. On Tuesday, November 4, CICS hosted a book launch for Dancing with Roomba: Cracking the Robot Riddle and Building an Icon by Joseph L. Jones, inventor of the Roomba. Curious students and faculty filled the CSL’s colloquium room to hear Jones discuss the evolution of the robot, followed by a reception in the new Physical Computing Makerspace.
Located on the building’s third floor, the makerspace has significantly expanded from its previous space in the Lederle Graduate Research Lowrise. The 4,000-square-foot facility includes dedicated areas for 3D printing, robotics, hardware workshops, and prototyping, offering a comprehensive suite of resources to support coursework and independent exploration.
“The opening of the new Physical Computing Makerspace marks the start of an exciting new chapter for our college,” said Assistant Director of Facilities and Infrastructure Thomas Burns. “As a hub for innovation, it’s designed to empower students, faculty, and researchers as they explore computer science in a hands-on context. The resources that the space offers work to fuel the college’s vibrant culture of creativity, collaboration, and computing for the common good.”
Students Explore Their New Spaces
Hundreds of students returned for the CSL Student Open House on Thursday, November 6. The event offered a self-guided introduction to the building, with activities such as “Ask an Advisor,” a CICS Careers scavenger hunt, and line dance instruction with the Office of Community, Outreach, and Organizational Learning. Robotics demonstrations and cotton candy added energy to the atrium, while students wandered through classrooms, study nooks, and labs.
“The Student Open House allowed me to explore a lot of new spaces—like the upgraded Physical Computing Makerspace, where I got to see a couple of ongoing research projects involving robotics,” said senior computer science major Zoë Akpan. “I think students are going to seriously benefit from the new building, and I’m happy I was able to see it before graduating. The new design is significantly more modern, with tons of open space meant for studying and lots of windows. I also got to try some of the treats at the new café,” Akpan continued. “I’m excited to be able to get a chai before a computer science class or a study session!”
As students begin finding their routines in the new building, the Snack Overflow Café is sure to become part of that rhythm. Located on the second floor, the café offers specialty coffee, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and pastries, serving Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Looking Ahead
Since opening, the CSL has supported a steady increase in student activity, study groups, and course-related use. With new areas for collaboration, hands-on learning, and community-building, the facility is positioned to play a central role in the college’s ongoing work in computing and technology.
As Manning CICS builds on more than 60 years of innovation in computing research and education, the CSL marks both a milestone and a beginning. With expanded resources, room to collaborate, and space to explore new ideas, the college is poised for the next chapter of discovery, with the CSL at its heart.
See more photos from the Computer Science Laboratories' Open House.