For release: Aug. 23, 2012
News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu
Student Affairs
contact: Sarah Sudak, 615-898-5342 or Sarah.Sudak@mtsu.edu
‘Awesome’ new $65 million MTSU Student Union
Building catches on quickly with students, visitors
MURFREESBORO — Talk about first impressions.
“This
is awesome,” said first-year MTSU graduate student Jason Schrader of
Murfreesboro, standing inside the new $65 million Student Union Building on
Friday. “I’ve been watching the construction for over a year now. “I’m really
proud to be associated with the school.”
“I
just walked through the dining area,” added Schrader, an information systems
grad student in the Jennings A. Jones College of Business. “It looks pretty
big. I noticed a hot-dog stand that looks good.”
As
the day progressed, more people could be found browsing around the much
anticipated, three-story, 211,000-square-foot facility that university leaders
predict will become the heart of campus.
“It’s
great. It’s so new, modern and spacious,” said 2001 MTSU graduate and
Murfreesboro resident Leslie Miller, who is attending graduate school seeking a
School of Nursing degree.
Miller
purchased textbooks and supplies in Phillips Bookstore.
“There
were a lot of people in there to help you,” she said. “I’m excited to see what
else is in the building.
“MTSU
has grown so much in the last decade. “It’s great to see all the new, wonderful
things going on.”
Sade
(pronounced SHAW-DAY) Baker, a senior marketing major from St. Louis, said it
was “very exciting to see a lot of changes” while walking through the facility
with friend (and 2010 MTSU graduate) Bridget Buckles.
“I
look forward to the new freshman class coming in and enjoying it,” Baker added.
“I saw the game room and thought, ‘Oh, wow. They’ve got a game room — a place
to hang out.
“The
KUC (Keathley University Center) always seemed so congested and crowded. Here,
you can locate an office much easier, and it has an elevators and TVs.”
The
opening coincides with an already full weekend as students and faculty return
to campus to begin the fall semester and 2012-13 academic year.
“This
building will create a greater sense of community for our students, a place
where they can connect with the campus and with each other,” said MTSU
President Sidney A. McPhee.
“It
is a gathering place, somewhere to recharge, collaborate or simply unwind. We
anticipate it will be a gathering point for many of our students who live
off-campus. Such spaces enrich our campus by strengthening our student-centered
learning culture.”
For
the opening weekend, the Student Union Building will be open until 6:30
p.m. Friday; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25; and from 8 a.m. until noon
Sunday, Aug. 26.
A
public ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19.
“The
MTSU Student Union is an amazing facility that will serve our community well
for many years to come,” said Sudak, who has overseen the project for student
affairs and worked directly with Messer Construction, which began building the
facility in 2009.
While
the 45-year-old KUC Grill and food-court venues will remain open, the new
facility will replace the KUC as the go-to place for students, faculty, staff
and visitors.
“I’m
just so excited about the future that the union represents for this campus,”
said Dr. Deb Sells, vice president for student affairs and vice provost for
enrollment and academic services.
“The
new union will become the hub — the heart — of the MTSU community,” Sells
added. “I suspect it will become a visible representation of the True Blue
spirit, as faculty, staff and students come together to eat, meet, relax and
socialize.”
The
building features Phillips Bookstore; a 640-seat food court and 102-seat
casual-dining restaurant; an 840-seat ballroom; student government, the Center
for Student Involvement and Leadership and other offices; a parliamentary room;
a theater; and a collaborative computer center.
The
length of the building is one-and-a-half football fields, which is 150 yards.
(You can watch a video tour of the building below.)
“The
comment heard most often (from students and parents this summer) was ‘I can’t
believe how big it is!’” Sells noted. “For students who are used to the KUC —
and for whom the KUC is the only frame of reference — the thought of a union
that is actually a football-field-and-a-half long is almost more than they can
fathom.
“And
they confirmed that the way to a student’s heart is through the stomach — I
heard lots of excitement about the opening of Dunkin Donuts and Popeye’s!”
Other
fast-food establishments include The Blue Raider Grill, The Dawg House,
Tortilla Fresca, Panda Express, Happy Tomato and the Totally Baked Potato Bar.
ARAMARK/MT Dining is managing all food service.
“I
like it. It’s a lot of space,” said Demetric Jones, a senior biology major from
Memphis and a Student Programming student worker in the facility. “I wish there
was more seating on the second floor. I like the large exit space and the big
stairwells. I like how big and spacious it is. I was concerned that it wouldn’t
be able to accommodate all our students, but I believe it will.”
Sudak
said interior and exterior construction will continue this fall.
“There
will be ongoing work during the fall semester as the copy center is completed,
landscaping is finished and furniture deliveries are completed,” Sudak said.
In
addition to the KUC, the 60-year-old James Union Building will remain open as a
venue for events, classes, offices and an ARAMARK/MT Dining facility.
Regular
fall-semester operating hours for the new Student Union Building will be:
•
6 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday;
•
6 a.m. Friday to 1 a.m. on Saturday, then reopening 8 a.m. to 1
p.m. Saturday; and
•
noon until midnight on Sunday.
First-floor
features include:
•
Phillips Bookstore;
•
six new food-service venues;
•
a 640-seat food court and a 102-seat casual-dining restaurant;
•
a game room; and
•
an ATM area, copy center, lounge areas and email stations.
Second-floor
features include:
•
an 840-seat ballroom with a green room and two dressing rooms;
•
an 84-seat parliamentary room and a 95-seat video theater;
•
a formal meeting and dining area;
•
a collaborative computer center;
•
two large, two medium and three small conference rooms and three
small seminar rooms; and
•
lounge spaces that include collaborative technology, email check
stations, flat-
screen TVs, a fireplace and seminar rooms.
Third-floor
features include:
•
offices for the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership,
Student
Organization, Student Government and Student Unions and
Programming;
•
two small seminar rooms; and
•
a television lounge and other lounge spaces that include
collaborative technology.
###
Photo captions
Student lounge.jpg
caption
Students take time
out to relax in the chairs and couch in one of the Student Union Building’s
lounge areas. (MTSU photo by Darby Campbell)
Interior photo.jpg
caption
Students and visitors
comb the hallways of the new Student Union Building on Friday’s opening day.
(MTSU photo by Darby Campbell)
The Carnegie Foundation for
the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular
engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU begins its second
century of service, Pride, Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of
"Tennessee’s Best"! For MTSU news and information any time, visit
www.mtsunews.com.
-------
For
MTSU news and information any time, visit www.mtsunews.com.
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