The Student Union Building (SUB) reopened in the Fall 2024 semester after an expansion on the second level over the summer. The renovation includes more tables and seating, as well as a more open floor layout. This renovation provides more seating options for students to study and mingle with their friends, alongside the wide array of offices and student resources, such as the Collegium, Student Government Association (SGA) and Eagle’s Nest. 

“The SUB renovation opened up new areas for students to socialize in,” said one student. “As a Junior, I have seen a major increase of students studying in the SUB compared to my previous two years here … The aesthetic of the study area of the SUB is also very different, compared to the darker and warmer tones from the last two years, the new and cooler tones make the area more relaxing and calming.”

This building has proved to be a popular place for students to do homework and meet in student groups, being the only building on campus that is open 24 hours a day. 

“It’s been really nice to have the extra study space when the library isn’t open, especially during the recent heat wave when it was too hot to be in my apartment,” said senior English major Hannah Jensen. 

The renovation appears to have been very well received by the student body, who appreciate the relaxing atmosphere and extra seating options. Previously, very little seating was available on the second level and often couldn’t accommodate the number of students seeking to spend time in the SUB.

“I think the renovation is amazing,” said sophomore Bible major Kristina Long. “They managed to create a really nice space to study and hang out with friends — not to mention the added seating in the SUB.”

BACKGROUND OF THE RENOVATION

The SUB has been a continuous work-in-progress over the years in order to better suit the needs of the student body. A generous donation from the Board of Trustees allowed the lower portion of the SUB to be renovated during 2022-23, as faculty members and students alike felt that the space had become outdated. The new furniture, improved lighting and pool tables facilitated an increase in student traffic after the renovation.

In Fall 2023, conversations about renovating the upper level of the SUB began with the SGA Vice President of Administrative Services and the SGA Advisor as the popularity of the building began outweighing the available space for students. Renovation plans and fund allocations were put together over several months in a collaborative effort between SGA and Student Development and Facilities. Other student organizations such as SGA, Student Missionary Union (SMU), the Office of Campus Engagement (OCE), the Biolan and Student Development Professionals also had a part in the planning process, as the renovation directly impacted their office spaces currently in the SUB.

“The process of exploring a possible renovation involved many months of brainstorming and ‘back to the drawing board’ moments,” said SGA President Jacqueline McCauslin. “The original plan was always for student-run organizations to trim and redistribute their office space while still fulfilling organizational goals and functions in order to create more space for student life to flourish.”

Part of the vision for the renovation was to have a centralized location for Global Student Engagement (GSE), so that international students could have better access to this resource. Since the SUB is open 24/7 to students, it is an ideal space for international students to contact family and friends who may be in different time zones across the globe.

“I believe that the new SUB renovation serves students better because it makes it more possible for the community to be fostered in this space than before the renovation,” said McCauslin. “The SUB now feels like a lively space full of social opportunity, while still having spots to sit by oneself and focus on assignments now that there are more areas to congregate … As I’ve spent much time in the SUB, I have been very pleased to see that many, if not all, of our original expectations have been met as we were intentional in the planning stages.”