| Alumnus and former
U.S. President Herbert Hoover had suggested a centralized student union in the
early 1900s, and from 1909 to 1922 the university constructed the buildings,
courtyard, cloisters and fountain that compose the Old Union complex. A dining
hall, library, billiard room and smoke shop were among the early features of
Old Union. In more recent years,
Old Union has been home to a number of University administrative offices. Beginning
in December 2005, the buildings will be closed for extensive renovation. When
completed in fall 2006, the complex will return to its original use as a
student center. The new Old Union will feature a large lounge space,
a late-night café,
an array of meeting rooms for student groups and a new home for the Office for
Religious Life.
Since its completion
in the early 1960s, Tresidder Memorial Union has replaced
Old Union as a central meeting place for students. Tresidder
Union includes the Coffee House, a popular late-night hangout for
students; a juice bar, where there is often a line on warm
spring or fall days to get a smoothie; a cafeteria; and other
snack bars that open to outdoor patios. Tresidder also houses
a credit union, a bank, a fitness center, a computer cluster, a travel
agency, and meeting space for campus groups. |
Photo:
Joe Melena
|
