In campus life
To improve the quality of life for its students, Brooklyn College has embarked on numer-ous projects. The physical infrastructure is being renovated and restored, new centers are being created, and model programs are under development as the college finds innovative ways to enrich the college experience for its students.

On the Brooklyn College campus, there is a palpable air of excitement. Recent visits by President Bill Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Attorney General Janet Reno are evidence of the college’s national distinction. The Robert L. Hess Scholar in Residence Program, established in 1992, brings prominent fig u res to campus to teach and meet with Brooklyn College students. Hess Scholars have included Brown University President Vartan Gregorian and Columbia University cultural historian Ann Douglas.

To coordinate the renewal of Brooklyn College’s historic campus, the college developed a facilities master plan approved by the CUNY Board of Trustees in 1995. Since 1992, the college has secured more than $150 million from the State of New Yo rk to replace roofs; to upgrade heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems; and to construct art studios, a chemical storage facility, computerized classrooms, and a modern security and fire alarm system. The funds include $54.4 million allocated in 1996 for revitalization and expansion of the library, creating a modern facility in voice and data communications while p roviding additional space for expanded library collections and for study. Included in the 1997-98 CUNY capital budget is a request for $66 million for removal of Plaza Building, restoration of the West Quadrangle, and construction of a West Quad building.

A twenty-four-hour study center, funded by the New York City Council, is under construction. It will have individual and group study areas; computers for completing class assignments; and computer access to the library catalog, local area network databases, and the Internet.

Members of the Brooklyn College Chess Team are renowned for their brilliant play and competitive suc-cess. In winning both the 1995 U.S. Amateur Team Competition and the 1995 Pan American Intercollegiate Tournament, these players defeated some of the best chess teams in the nation, including teams from Harvard, M.I.T., and the University of Chicago.

Hillary Rodham Clinton gave the keynote address at Brooklyn College’s Commencement Exercises in June 1995. In her remarks, she described Brooklyn College as "a great public college... that represents the full diversity and possibility of America. It is a college that takes the education of all people seriously - men, women, minorities, immigrants, refugees."