Tompkins Cortland Community College has unveiled a dedicated sensory space designed to support neurodiverse students. The Sensory Space provides a calm, welcoming environment where students can relax, study, and feel safe. Located in the Baker Commons, it features sensory-friendly elements like calming lighting, soothing sounds, fidget tools, and other resources aimed at reducing anxiety and fostering productivity. 

Thanks to a gift from the Mental Health Association for Cortland County and drawing on expert advice from Racker and SUNY Cortland, Karen Rachetta, TC3’s coordinator of access and equity services, led the effort to create this space at TC3.

“We have more than 300 students who self-identify as having a disability, and 95% of those are neurodivergent,” said Rachetta. “This space is for them.”

Rachetta says the space will evolve based on feedback from users. It will also soon feature artwork. As part of a semester-long project, students in Megan VanKanegan’s Painting I and Painting II classes (ART 115 and ART 116) are designing and completing a mural on some of the wall areas of the Sensory Space. 

“The space was created with the intention to meet the needs of the divergent community, but it benefits all people,” said Rachetta. “Every human being processes sensory information differently and can benefit from this space.”

The Sensory Space is open and available to the campus community from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.