The Naraghi Hall at California State University, Stanislaus contains a new help center for math and science students. Hispanic Servings Institutions donated $5 million dollars.
Located in room 124 on the first floor, the center will offer help for any student who needs tutoring everyday. 
The interior of the room is not vastly different than the old conference center that it was used for. But now the room holds a more specific purpose. 
“It’s planned to be more than a tutoring center. We have not quite defined what the label for the center will be,” said Gabriela Nuño, the director of the grant. “For now, we are calling The Commons a ‘one stop shop help center’ for math and science students.”
A part of the grant will be used to staff The Commons with professors. 
In the future though, students will also become part of the staff to offer assistance (they are in the process of accepting applications right now), which will create a peer tutoring environment such as the one found in the Writing Center on campus. 
Future plans indicate more is in store for the new help center. 
“In the future, we hope to mold The Commons into a useful entity that offers workshops,” said Dr. James Youngblom, a professor in the Biology department. “The workshops might offer studying tips and time management advice.”
Other faculty members agree with the usefulness of The Commons.
“It’s a good idea,” said Dr. Flora Watson, another Biology professor. “It’s helpful to the students under the College of Natural Sciences, plus they get to meet different faculty.
The mission now, besides the future plans to expand the purpose beyond tutoring, is to make them aware The Commons exists.
On Wednesday, at least 30 visitors had come for help, while the center had opened last Monday. Dr. Youngblom himself is going to different classes to talk about The Commons.  
The Commons is open daily throughout the semester from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday, and 9:00 a.m.  to 3:00 p.m. on Friday. 
For more information about The Commons, email Dr. Youngblom at [email protected].