Student Union opens to glowing reviews on The Murfreesboro Post

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Student Union opens to glowing reviews

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By: JONATHAN FAGAN, editor@murfreesboropost.com

Posted: Sunday, August 26, 2012 5:34 am

Student Union opens to glowing reviews | MTSU, Student Union Building, Education, Murfreesboro

T.J. Pegram & Lauren Davis (Photo by J. Fagan)

Unveiling of the new $65 million Student Union Building is at the forefront of Middle Tennessee State University's start to the 2012 fall semester.

On Friday, the university opened the doors to the recently completed Student Union Building, which is more than 211,000 square feet – a length said to be nearly the size of two football fields.

The building located on the east side of campus near the University Honors College and the Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center.

Students were wandering the halls Friday morning after moving in to Corlew Hall and Cummings Hall with the help of President Sidney McPhee.

"Very nice," said Lauren Davis, a senior majoring in accounting. "I'm looking forward to experiencing the theater."

But with lunch approaching senior business major T.J. Pegram did not seem very interested in the theater.

"So far, my favorite part of the building is the food court," Pegram said.

The building features an expanded Phillips Bookstore, a 640-seat food court with a 102-seat casual dining restaurant, an 840-seat ballroom, and office space for the Student Government Association, as well as a Parliamentary Room.

The Student Union Building also features a theater, Student Involvement and Leadership offices, a collaborative computer center, and much more, according to a press release.

"The balcony is hot, but the theater is amazing," sophomore Rodrick Tenial said, while seated inside the Student Union Building with his friend Antonio Vinson.

Vinson said he liked the ballroom and conference rooms, noting both will be a great place for student organizations to meet.

"All the open seating will be a great place to study," said Jay Cleveland, a junior majoring in psychology, who was touring the new facility with freshman Andrew Whisenant.

"It's like a mini-mall with so many different food choices," Whisenant said.

Sophomore Meranda Louthan, an electronic media communications major, agreed, saying she likes the added convenience in the expansion of the bookstore and added restaurant.

"It looks amazing," she said. "The bookstore offers much more than just textbooks now, and the new restaurant is so fancy you could even take a date."

The first full day of weekday classes begin Monday, Aug. 27, for most students.

"I am looking forward to the 2012-2013 academic year," Provost Brad Bartel said. "The university begins the year with new deans, department chairs and distinguished new faculty all adding to the mix, with established individuals providing our students with an unparalleled education."

In addition, the university is also offering new degree programs this academic year, and exceptional new buildings add to the richness of the environment," he added.

"It will be a great year," he said.

Administrators with the Division of Student Affairs, the recipient of the long-awaited Student Union Building, also look for a tremendous year.

"We're looking forward to a very exciting new year," said Debra Sells, vice president for Student Affairs and vice provost for Enrollment and Academic Services. "Obviously, the new Student Union Building is going to have enormous impact on the quality of student life on the campus."

Sells added she anticipates an extremely eventful year as well.

"We'll be busy, especially helping students become acquainted with the programs, services, and many activities available in the new union," she said. "Additionally, we will be rolling out a new suite of recruitment activities, as we work to attract additional students to the Blue Raider family."

Tagged under Education, MTSU, Murfreesboro, Student Union Building

Member Opinions:

By: jbr1a_mtsu_f12 on 8/27/12
I just had lunch here at the new student union today. Even though I had seen slide shows and other pictures from inside the facility, and watched it being built, I was still really impressed. It is a huge building relative to most of the rest of campus, but it is not out of place at all. The décor on the inside is very tasteful. The food court was a bit crowded, as you would probably expect for a new facility like this one on the first day of classes, but my colleague and I really didn’t have to wait very long to place our orders and get our food. We both opted for Popeye’s chicken, which is a bit of guilty pleasure, but it sure did hit the spot. There are also plenty of fresh, healthy options, including a salad bar. It was also easy to finding seating as there was plenty of it. I was only there for a working lunch and the first day of the semester is always busy, so I didn’t have time to wander around, but I’ve heard great things about the bookstore too, and plan to visit as soon as I can. I think it is great that the MTSU community has a student union that we can all be proud of.