Nine years in the making, the Student Union is the largest project in the history of the university. The building will be complete when the second phase opens to the campus community Wednesday, January 2, 2019.
The 395,088 square-foot-building is intended to be the community center of campus—a central gathering space for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests. Complementing the academic experience, the Student Union will serve as a space for additional student development and learning.
Ian Crone, director of the Student Union, said he wants the space to be inviting and welcoming to all.
“The Student Union is not just a building. We want this to be a place for people to come and hang out with friends. I see this space as a home away from home for students,” Crone said. “This space really serves as a crossroad between their classes and heading back to their residence hall or off-campus housing.”
New and Returning Offices and Services
The Student Union will serve as a central location for many of the offices that serve students on a daily basis. A number of Division of Student Life offices will be located in the Student Union. These include:
- Center for Leadership and Service
- Center for Student Engagement
- Office of the Dean of Students
- Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life
- Student Government Association
- Student Union Administration and Student Union Event Services
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions also will move its Welcome Center to the Student Union to host campus visits for prospective students and family members.
Other features of the Student Union:
- Welcome area information desk. When you walk in the front entrance of the Student Union, you’ll find an information desk where staff can answer your questions about the space and point you in the right direction.
- Steak ‘n Shake and Rising Roll dining locations: The dining area will have more than 140 seats to choose from when grabbing a meal from one of the two restaurants.
- Full–service production kitchen.This 3,700-square-foot commercial production kitchen will support catering functions in the Student Union and throughout campus.
- Union Station student recreation area. This area will feature video gaming, billiards, and table tennis, as well as space for small events.
- Student art gallery.The gallery will include student work as well as traveling exhibits.
- Student organization suite. This area focuses on learning and leadership development while also providing a comfortable place for students to relax.
- UT Federal Credit Union branch location.
- ATM machines for UT Federal Credit Union, First Tennessee Bank, and Bank of America.
UCopy Printing and Design, a US Post Office branch, a passport processing center, and the Central Ticket Office also will be available in the Student Union. Some of these services may open at a later date because details are still being finalized.
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CONTACT:
Katherine Keith (ksaxon@utk.edu, 865-974-8365)