Architect rendering of Jewett Hall project
SUNY Fredonia is renovating Jewett Hall to centralize many essential student services, creating a more streamlined and accessible experience.
The renovated facility will serve as a centralized Student Success Center, housing key student-focused offices including Career Development, Academic Advising, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, the Registrar, and the Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) Office, alongside programs that support global learning and access such as International Education, International Student Services, Study Abroad, Educational Development Program, and the Honors Program.
By cutting down the need to travel across campus for appointments and assistance, the new model is expected to simplify processes, save time, and make it easier for students to get the help they need when they need it.
“This project is about removing barriers for our students,” said SUNY Fredonia President Stephen H. Kolison Jr. “By bringing critical services together in one place, we are making it easier for students navigating their academic journey, so they can focus on what matters most: their success.”
The facility will also offer classrooms, conference and multipurpose spaces, a tranquility room, and student lounges to support both academic and daily student needs.
“These enhancements reflect a modern, student-centered approach to campus design,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management and Services Kathryn Kendall. “We are renovating and aligning physical spaces with how students learn, connect, and access support today.”
The renovation is part of Fredonia’s "Building Towards Student Success" initiative, which focuses on improving how students access services and navigate campus resources. The State University of New York Construction Fund is providing capital investment for the $52 million project. “The Construction Fund’s investment in SUNY Fredonia reflects a strong belief in the role the university plays within SUNY and the region,” said Dr. Kolison. “Projects like this strengthen our infrastructure, enhance the student experience and position the university for continued success in the years ahead.”
Originally constructed in 1962, Jewett Hall served as a center of science education, housing laboratories, faculty offices, a lecture hall, and a planetarium. Science departments have moved due to the construction of the Science Center and the renovation of Houghton Hall in recent years. The renovation project will reconfigure much of the building’s interior while preserving and rehabilitating the existing planetarium and 200-seat lecture hall.
The renovation is expected to be completed in 2028.
