Tompkins Cortland Community College has won a grant to create an outdoor learning space on campus. The $8,000 award was one of 14 grants awarded to Statue University of New York colleges through SUNY’s Outdoors for All program. The program was created last year to encourage the development of new outdoor programming on SUNY campuses and to promote opportunities for all students to enjoy the state’s natural beauty. 

SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. announced the grants. “There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and we are proud of our work to ensure our students have access to engaging, hands-on learning experiences in the outdoors that bring students together and build community,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “SUNY’s Outdoors for All grant program demonstrates how our campuses are leading the way in enhancing outdoor learning opportunities for our students and increasing access to outdoors spaces. I look forward to seeing how our campuses use this funding to continue inspiring New Yorkers to take advantage of all our great state has to offer.”

TC3 will use the funds to transform a furnished structure into an outdoor learning environment accessible to the entire campus and community. Once completed (expected in the spring) the space, located just outside the College’s athletics facility and near the tennis courts, will be reservable like any classroom on campus.

“Tompkins Cortland Community College’s campus is located in one of the most beautiful areas of the state, and this grant will give our students and community members another way to enjoy that beauty through the creation of a new outdoor learning space,” said President Amy Kremenek. “Thank you to SUNY and Chancellor King for creating this program, which supports our belief that learning can, and should, take place anywhere and everywhere.”