Such a design, Jones said, would give students state-of-the-art laboratories to replace ones built in 1966 as well as a central gathering place, complete with an eatery, a library, bookstore and study space.

But the design should go beyond bricks and cement, she said.

"The students -- when they cross the threshold -- they need to know that that is their place, that they are welcome there," Jones said.

After 10 years of studies, City Council resolutions and neighborhood protests, Gov. John G. Rowland announced Thursday that Three Rivers will be consolidated at the Thames Valley campus on New London Turnpike. It is estimated to cost about $75 million and take three to four years to complete.

It will be some time before Jones' vision starts to take shape.

The architectural firm selected when the college was to be consolidated at Mahan Drive was Fletcher Thompson of Shelton. "They will more than likely continue," says Jones. "We hope they still want us. We've dragged them along for a long time."

However, designing the school is still in the early stages, Dean of Administration Joseph Anderson said. "We have to get the actual money bonded before the contract can be awarded."

The money for further environmental studies and, eventually, design, must be approved by the State Bond Commission, which Jones said is expected to meet in early December.

Even after studies are completed and the architect is chosen, the process will be drawn out by the need to move the Tech School and renovate its facilities, said the Rev. David Cannon, a member of the Board of Trustees.

Anderson is eager for work to start. "I'm ready to bring a shovel from home and put it into the ground as soon as we get the authorization," he said.

One cause for urgency is that enrollment at Three Rivers, currently 3,600 students, has been limited by space. "

It's a shame that we've been turning away students here," Anderson said. "We're short about 100,000 square feet to do the job."

And there are more issues than space. The Thames Valley campus is a squat, 1960s structure with outdated equipment, small desks and a high school feel. The Mohegan campus, which has undergone some renovation, is more inviting.

Still, students and staff at both campuses were excited about a possible "Main Street" design.

Phil Miller, 18, a nuclear engineering major, liked the idea of a gathering place. "We need something to do in between classes."

Steven Hart, 27, a manufacturing engineering major, was most interested in an high-tech library. "Research is such a vital part of the college experience," he said.

And Matt Liscum, a liberal arts teacher, was happy that socializing would be easier for students. "It's part of the college experience."

Students also had a few suggestions of their own. Fara Filidor, 18, would like an ATM. Miller wanted bigger labs and air conditioning. And Adam Velez, 18, an nuclear engineering major, thinks a pool table would be nice.

Because Three Rivers offers a two-year program and renovations won't be complete until 2006 at the earliest, current students acknowledged they wouldn't be around to take advantage of the changes.

"Probably not," said Hart. But he doesn't mind.

Neither does Filidor. "It would still be good for other kids."

"It would be good for us," said Miller, who will graduate along with Velez in 2005, "if we were on the eight-year plan."