Lauren Spencer
The Associated Students Organization is packing its bags and moving into the old Bookstore/Business office, which has been completely gutted and newly renovated.
What is now called the Student Community Center is one of the original buildings constructed on campus.
More than 50 years later, the building has been stripped down to just the exterior walls.
From the roof to the floors, everything built inside of it is completely brand new. The history behind the old Bookstore/ Business building is extensive, but interesting and informative. There will be an event that will show the history of the building for the official opening on April 23.
“The school is showing some respect by us not getting shoved in some random trailer,” said Lara Kalaidjian, 20, vice president of ASO.
A number of years ago, the ASO had given up its offices that were a part of the Campus Center and moved to their current trailer so that the school could have a health center.
The building is completely furnished with new flooring, furniture and even a kitchen.
There is a large lounge area with couches for students to hang out, relax and meet new peers.
There is new audio and visual equipment for events that will be hosted, such as guest speakers or showings of films.
ASO members have new offices, a conference room and a work room where they can make activity posters to post around campus.
“The location is great and has great student volume instead of being in the boondocks,” said Omar Hashim, 20, ASO senator.
The center is located in the middle of campus, next to the library. The cost of the renovations was slightly less than $3 million and the size of the structure is about 11,000 square feet.
When the building was first constructed in the early ’50s, it was intended to be a social gathering hall.
It was a place for students to meet, get out of the mud and rain and even dine.
Everything that happened on campus, at that time, happened in that building.
The ASO’s general goal for the new facility is to have the place be somewhere for students to enjoy and become more involved with on-campus activities.
“We are hoping to have more students interested with ASO and clubs,” said Joy McCaslin, vice president of student services.