The opening of the new $40 million Student Center at Eastern
Michigan University had all the fanfare expected of a brand,
spanking new facility on campus.
There were opening speeches; the placement of a time capsule
in the cornerstone for all posterity; and hundreds of students,
faculty and staff entered the doors to be greeted by a
gauntlet of students in green and white who smacked green
balloons together in unison.
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A PERFECT CUT: Past and present student
government leaders took part in the ribbon-cutting
ceremony for the new EMU Student Center Nov.
6.
(from left) Sean Gray, past student body president;
Cassetta Brown, Student Body President Daniel
Cicchini, Alli Sheppard and Student Body Vice
President
Emily Vincent all work the giant pair of
scissors. Photo
by Randy Mascharka
|
Visitors perused the bookstore;
sampled the many tasty offerings at the food court; and
watched Tom Cruise pull off a third "impossible" mission
in the 250-seat auditorium. They ambled on tours that included
looks at the large, green-carpeted banquet hall; a spacious
art gallery; three cozy fireplaces; a bevy of conference
and meeting rooms; a 24-hour computer lab and ample opportunities
to catch a close-up glimpse of the panoramic campus view
from the mammoth, east wall of glass.
"Welcome to one of the most exciting days we've had on
this campus in a long time," said Jim Vick, vice president
for student affairs, from the steps of the facility's west
entrance.
"Winston Churchill said, 'First, we define our buildings.
Then, they define us,'" said EMU President John Fallon. "This
building will define us at EMU for some 50 years on into
the future."
While accolades were handed out to Glenna Frank Miller,
executive director of the Student Center, and her staff;
the physical plant, Turner Construction and Burt Hill Architects,
the focus was on the student leaders who, through the past
seven years, kept the project in the forefront and helped
shepherd the 183,000-square-foot project to completion.
"Student leaders are the reason we're here. And they're
the reason this new building is here," Vick said. "This
building will play an important role for students in the
next 50 years."
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DRUM CIRCLE: The Kiva Room, a round, 360-degree
room patterned after those used in Native American
cultures, was dedicated during the grand opening
of
the EMU Student Center Nov. 6. Those who
participated
are (clockwise, from left), John Marcus,
an Ojibwe
from Saulte Ste Marie Ontario; Lee
Blackbear, a Lakota
from South Dakota; Shawn
Reckollet, an Odawa; and
Jeff Gargoshian, an Ojibwe.
Photo
by Randy Masharka |
Shortly before he and other student leaders cut the large,
green ribbon to signal the building's opening, Student
Body President Daniel Cicchini joked, "When I came to campus,
I never thought I would have the opportunity to choose
carpet patterns or bathroom tiles."
Once inside, hundreds of faculty, staff and students scoured
the building to get a look at all that was available on
the facility's three floors. Many took guided tours to
learn a little more.
Amy Pater, an EMU junior who served as a tour guide, said
much of the red, orange and brown color scheme was intentional
to create a fall atmosphere, which signifies the beginning
of school. She showed visitors the efficient room lighting
systems that come on when persons enter and shut off when
they leave. Perhaps the most unique room in the building
is the Kiva Room, a round room patterned after Native American
cultures.
"The room is a 360-degree room and its number is 360," Pater
explained. "This is a place where students can hang out
or have discussion groups."
And play a little music. Asiniis, a group of drum musicians,
performed during the dedication of the Kiva Room.
The grand opening also included a coffee and refreshment
break for faculty and staff. The event was sponsored by
the Division of Student Affairs and hosted by the EMU Emeritus
faculty organization. In addition, the University and Student
Center art galleries were dedicated, an event which included
the opening of the "Leapin' Lizards: Comic Art" and "Pop
Rocks!" exhibitions. The day concluded with a dedication
of the student computer lab and a concert performance by
the EMU Jazz Ensemble in the auditorium.
Opening week events also will include Commuter Appreciation
Day, Nov. 7; Heritage Day, Nov. 8; Campus Involvement Day,
Nov. 9; EMU Faculty and Staff Day, Nov. 10; and EMU Families
and Fun Day, Nov. 11. A dedication ceremony of the EMU
Student Center will take place Nov. 17, 8-11 p.m., in the
Grand Ballroom.
Reaction shots
"It's really big and open. Very clean," said freshman
Amanda Lipscomb as she looked at EMU paraphernalia in the
bookstore, which is operated by Follett. "It's much closer
to the dorms than McKenny Union.
Fellow freshman Crystal O'Connor was impressed with the
food and anticipated she would make trips to the bookstore
for "school supplies and stuff."
Dwayne Foster, a post-baccalaureate education major, studied
in front of the first-floor fireplace while seated
in a comfy chair. Foster, who commutes an hour from Royal
Oak, said he plans to use the facility to study between
classes, grab a bite to eat and take in a movie occasionally.
"This is really nice. It looks like there's a lot of space
for everything and won't get too crowded," he said.
"These students grew up going to malls and are referred
to as the 'mall generation,'" observed Marge Preston, senior
secretary for the office of diversity, as she ate pizza
from Sbarro's for lunch. "This building fits that concept
with all the open spaces throughout and, especially, the
food court on the lower level."
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STUDENT SWEET TOOTH: Eastern Michigan
University
students check out the various chocolates
and
pastries offered at Sweet Success, a dessert
business
located in the food court of the new EMU
Student
Center. The free samples were a hit with
faculty, staff
and students. Photo by Randy Mascharka |
The food court most resembled a mall setting, with neon
signs of Taco Bell, KFC, Sbarro's, Panda Express, Wendy's
and Sweet Success offering a number of options for one's
palate. In February 2007, the food court will be joined
by a Starbuck's, which may include a 24-hour service window.
Ahmed Fayssa, store supervisor, for The Lobby Shoppe,
was obviously pleased with his expanded quarters.
"In the old store (in McKenny Union), we never had the
space for wheel-chair accessible people to come in," he
said as he surveyed the wide store aisles. "Before,
most of our customers were commuters. Now, we will have
students from the dorms.
In addition to more space, he has extended the store's
hours to 10:30 p.m. at his new locale. New store
additions included the sale of fresh coffee, hot dogs,
and gourmet chocolates and popcorn. He added he is considering
offering a variety of hot soups, too.
"I'm very happy about it," Fayssa said.
