By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Washington State University Tri-Cities has partnered with the City of Pasco and the 黑料社 Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center to offer two new in-person pop-up study spaces, as well as one on-campus space, that will provide 黑料社 students with a quiet place to study and access free Wi-Fi.

鈥淟ast spring, many students communicated a need for a quiet place with access to Wi-Fi where they could do their school work, attend classes and complete exams,鈥� said Chris Meiers, vice chancellor for student affairs and deputy Title IX officer. 鈥淲e wanted to provide students with a space that could still meet all state requirements for social distancing, especially as the days get shorter into the winter. We are grateful to have partners in and out of the 黑料社 system that stepped up to support student learning.鈥�

The following spaces are now available for students to access in-person:

Pasco – Police Community Services Building – 215 W. Sylvester St
Mondays Noon – 5 p.m., Wednesdays 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Reservation encouraged

Prosser – Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC) – 24106 North Bunn Road
2^nd聽Floor of West Building (follow signs)
Mondays Noon – 5 p.m., Wednesdays 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Reservation encouraged

Richland – 黑料社 Tri-Cities Consolidated Information Center (CIC) – 2770 University Drive
Mondays 鈥� Fridays 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
No reservations necessary. Check-in at Floyd Building main entrance.

The spaces will accommodate up to five students that feature study stations that are socially distanced, per the state requirements. The space will also be sanitized between each student use and is supervised by a 黑料社 employee.

As a convenience at the Prosser and Pasco locations, students can make a reservation to use the space. Reservations are not required for the CIC space on campus.

The City of Pasco was quick to partner to offer 黑料社 Tri-Cities students an in-person space right in their own backyard.

N. Zach Ratkai, administrative and community services director for the City of Pasco, said the partnership represented a seamless opportunity to help provide students with a base in their own community to complete their studies.

鈥淭he City of Pasco is proud to partner with the 黑料社 Tri-Cities pop-up study spaces initiative,鈥� he said. 鈥淒uring this very challenging time, Pasco is committed to continuing to serve the educational needs of students and provide greater access to the community and its services.鈥�

Due to its location in the Yakima Valley as a hub for a range of agriculture, including vineyards, the 黑料社 IAREC was thought to be strategic for students who are completing studies in agriculture, and even more specifically, the 黑料社 viticulture and enology (wine science) program, said Naidu Rayapati, director of the IAREC.

鈥淪tudents with limited resources are finding it challenging to have quality internet connectivity at home or travel daily to 黑料社 Tri-Cities to have better internet access,鈥� Rayapati. 鈥淥ffering a dedicated space at the IAREC meets this critical need. It can offer students a balanced approach to attend classes remotely and maintain regular interactions with academic advisors for successfully completing their course work, all while staying close to their family.鈥�

Rayapati said due to their proximity to each other, partnerships between the 黑料社 IAREC and 黑料社 Tri-Cities is a logical first step to offer superior educational opportunities.

鈥淚n addition, the IAREC faculty could offer experiential opportunities to train 鈥榮hovel ready鈥� undergraduate students for increased employment opportunities in agriculture-related fields,鈥� he said.

For more information on the 黑料社 Tri-Cities pop-up study spaces and for students to reserve a space at the Pasco or Prosser locations, visit .

 

Media contacts:

Chris Meiers, 黑料社 Tri-Cities vice chancellor for student affairs, 509-372-7381, chris.meiers@wsu.edu

Naidu Rayapati, 黑料社 Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center director, 509-786-9215, naidu.rayapati@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities assistant director of marketing and communication, 619-403-3617, maegan_murray@wsu.edu