Charles B. Wang Center
Encyclopedia
The Charles B. Wang Center, located at the State University of New York at Stony Brook
in Stony Brook, New York
, is dedicated to understanding Asian and American cultures, and the interactions of these cultures with other world cultures. The center was completed in 2002, and was designed by P.H. Tuan. Building of the center was intended to be funded by Charles B. Wang through an over 40 million dollar donation to Stony Brook University, the largest ever private donation to a SUNY
school. Actual construction costs far exceeded the original donation, becoming a source of controversy among students and faculty at the time.
Controversy over the building was further fueled by its prolonged construction period, its prime location in the heart of the academic mall, and its intended usage. Many students and faculty felt that devoting so many important resources to a building which would house neither classes nor faculty offices was ill-advised. The building's food court is run by a private restaurant called Jasmine, making it the only non-unionized commissary on campus. Recent complaints received by the University has led to a campus wide petition concerning the decibel levels associated with the large number of running fountains.
The building covers 120,000 square feet (11,000 m²), and is noted for its interior architecture. The building holds numerous conference halls, classrooms (although no classes have been held in the building), auditoriums, a chapel, and an Asian food court for students. Thus far, the center has been the location for numerous presentations, as well as films, and conferences that deal with multicultural issues.
State University of New York at Stony Brook
The State University of New York at Stony Brook, also known as Stony Brook University, is a public research university located in Stony Brook, New York, on the North Shore of Long Island, about east of Manhattan....
in Stony Brook, New York
Stony Brook, New York
Stony Brook is a hamlet located in the Town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County, New York, which is on the North Shore of Long Island...
, is dedicated to understanding Asian and American cultures, and the interactions of these cultures with other world cultures. The center was completed in 2002, and was designed by P.H. Tuan. Building of the center was intended to be funded by Charles B. Wang through an over 40 million dollar donation to Stony Brook University, the largest ever private donation to a SUNY
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
school. Actual construction costs far exceeded the original donation, becoming a source of controversy among students and faculty at the time.
Controversy over the building was further fueled by its prolonged construction period, its prime location in the heart of the academic mall, and its intended usage. Many students and faculty felt that devoting so many important resources to a building which would house neither classes nor faculty offices was ill-advised. The building's food court is run by a private restaurant called Jasmine, making it the only non-unionized commissary on campus. Recent complaints received by the University has led to a campus wide petition concerning the decibel levels associated with the large number of running fountains.
The building covers 120,000 square feet (11,000 m²), and is noted for its interior architecture. The building holds numerous conference halls, classrooms (although no classes have been held in the building), auditoriums, a chapel, and an Asian food court for students. Thus far, the center has been the location for numerous presentations, as well as films, and conferences that deal with multicultural issues.