James Cook University received funding from the Commonwealth Government (CDP) to construct a new integrated Student Enquiry Centre (Student Services Precinct). The SSP forms a one-stop shop for student enrolments and enquiries.

James Cook University also gained funding from the Commonwealth Government (TLC) towards the construction of Specialist Teaching Facilities for the School of Education. This funding, combined with funding from the JCU Capital and Infrastructure Plan, allowed the construction of the teaching facilities along with academic offices and student centred learning spaces, in a new centre for the School of Education.

Both the SSP and new School of Education have been constructed in a single building project titled the Specialist Teaching & Student Services Precinct.

The building has been constructed on the site of the old gymnasium and squash courts and connects with a small portion of the Student Mall.

The building was designed by Wilson Architects in conjunction with Architects North.

The main focus of the building was to construct new technology enabled and more flexible and collaborative teaching spaces. Some of the teaching rooms are:

• 150 seat collaborative (active) lecture theatre
• 72 seat flat floor active learning space (modelled on MIT’s TEAL Space)
• 48 seat collaborative teaching laboratory
• 48 seat collaborative wet teaching laboratory
• 36+ seat flexible flat floor seminar/conference room
• Peer to Peer learning centre