Campus officials took possession of the building from the contractors last week and are busy moving various offices to the building. ASU plans to celebrate the grand opening with several events and activities.

On March 24, at 11 a.m., a ribbon cutting will be held followed by various student-related activities. Tours will be given to the public by the Union Activities Board (UAB) and the Student Union staff at every hour, on the hour (following the ribbon cutting). Also, a reception will follow the ribbon cutting. At noon, the Giant Steps Jazz Band will perform while open houses are being conducted in the Tribal Leadership Center, Student Government Association (SGA), Student Activities Board (SAB), Student Life, and the International Student Scholar Services. The public is invited to attend the ribbon cutting, reception and jazz band performance as well as the open houses.

The Student Union will be complete with a center court (to hold weekly events) and food court (Starbucks coffee, Godfather’s Pizza, and Chik-fil-A). There will also be an auditorium with theatre seating for movies, a game room and television lounges, study rooms and study lounges, student activities offices (for leadership and various other organizations), a dining hall, gallery, aerobics hall and fitness center (with on-site staff to provide assistance and training).

“There’s no question. It will be the place to see and the place to be seen among students,” said Dr. Rick Stripling, vice chancellor for student affairs.

“The Student Union is exclusively for students. I don’t think people realize the importance of what this will mean to students. Outside the building is a place for students to hang out – there will be a beautiful courtyard with greens just off the dining area. The inside is spacious too. This will be a great recruitment tool for ASU,” Stripling said.

The 92,000-square-foot Student Union has been in the making since 1997 when the ASU Student Government Association (SGA) began promoting the idea. The current facility, the Reng Center, built in 1964, has long since passed students’ needs.

The SGA passed a resolution to establish and impose a $10 fee per credit hour on students to construct the new facility. Later, the 84^th General Assembly of the Arkansas Legislature approved funds for $750,000 toward the cost of furniture and equipment for the building.

The Student Union building was originally to be completed in the fall of 2003, but due to contractor delays and bad weather, the project is one year behind schedule. The Student Union was Phase I of two projects.

Phase II includes renovating the 1964-era Reng Center and moving all of student services into one location. Upon completion, the building will then be named the Reng Student Services Center. As the final stages of the new Student Union are completed, student offices from the old Reng Center will move into the Student Union. Preparations can then begin on Phase II to renovate the old Reng Center.

Once complete, the Reng Student Services Center will house: Residence Life, Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Registrar’s office, Cashier, Career Services, Counseling Center, Disability Services, mail services and a new ASU bookstore. Many of these departments and services are currently spread all across campus. The renovation will also include an expansion of the Reng Center Ballroom, which will bring it from a 500-seating capacity to 1,000.

Stripling said, “The students will have one place to go get everything done. They will be able to check on their financial aid or scholarships, swing by the cashier’s office and cash a check, mail a package to home and then grab a cup of coffee in the lounge. All of this while seeing their friends and never going outside.”

Phase II, the renovation of the Reng Student Services Center, is expected to be complete in 2005.

The Student Union was built directly in front of the Reng Center on what was formerly Aggie Road. The street was closed shortly before the Student Union groundbreaking in 2000. The two buildings will be connected by a lower corridor and an upper walk way. 

The grand opening will include a week-long schedule of events for students, the community, and alumni. It will also include recognition of the members of the 84^th Arkansas General Assembly who helped finance the Student Union.