The SRU Student Union is being completely remodeled inside and is expected to be in use for fall 2024. The space is projected to house several student services, including the Student Health Center and Counseling Center.
Other attributes will include the Office of Disability Services (ODS), a mail room, Financial Aid, Parking and ID services, Student Success Coaches, Rock Pantry+ and more.
“University administration felt there was a need to improve the student experience. This could be accomplished by consolidating as many student services as possible into a single location,” Scott Albert, Associate Vice president of Facilities, Environmental Safety and Sustainability, said.
The space has been shut down since Aug. 2022. In the years leading up to that, it was mainly used for COVID testing, ID services, ODS and package services.
However, it was a regular hub for student life when it was first built in 1970 and up until the Smith Student Center (SSC) opened in 2012.
Sometime before 2010, students voted on whether to renovate the union or to build the SSC. After that, many services that were previously in the union moved up the hill.
The union underwent construction previously, but has not had any updates in the last 20 years.
A concern among students is that there was asbestos in the building at one point in time.
“Prior to 1989, it was common for asbestos to be used in building products…when the building was originally built…some of the floor tile and floor tile glue contained it,” Albert said.
“The asbestos has been removed from the building by the university asbestos abatement staff who are certified to perform this work,” he said.
