Schwitzer expansion project completed
By Micah McVicker | Staff Writer
The Schwitzer Student Center renovation is complete, now providing more eating and socialization space. According to Kory Vitangeli, dean of students, the expansion makes the student center better equipped for students and faculty.
“Prior to the renovation and expansion, there was little room for students to get around one another in the dining hall,” Vitangeli said. “The new space allows for better flow and use of the facility.”
The first floor of the renovated center houses additional meeting and conference space. The renovation relocated the President’s and Trustees’ Dining Rooms, allowing the south hallway to become a lounge for students.
Vitangeli said that events hosted by outside groups or faculty can now be held in the banquet space in the expanded center. The banquet room can be used as one large space, two separate rooms or divided into three separate banquet rooms.
Fitness equipment currently resides on the second floor, and is available for student use. Ultimately, the President’s Cabinet—consisting of the vice presidents, the chief information officer, and the director of athletics—will make the final decisions about the space on the second floor of the expanded student center.
Brad Dobson, New Hall residence director, was a member of the Students and Staff Committee involved in planning the Schwitzer expansion.
“The committee process was really encouraging…to know that the student voice was valued so highly and really taken into consideration during the planning process,” Dobson said. “I think the end result exceeded our expectations and requests.”
According to Ken Piepenbrink, director of the physical plant, the student center expansion cost about $15 million.
