Amidst fanfare, free pizza, and plenty of cake, 61传媒Associated Students (SAS) unveiled the newest addition to the 61传媒 student experience in October: the first-ever 61传媒Student Union.
Located above Malott Commons and accessible by student ID card, the student union is available 24/7 for all 61传媒 students. Featuring a large common space, private rooms for studying, crafts, and other useful resources, it’s lovingly referred to as “home base” by SAS president India Mullady ’11.
“61传媒students are adults who should be allowed to govern their own space,” says India, explaining the student union is a response to student need for community and autonomy. “61传媒needs a place open 24/7, especially with a growing number of off-campus residents.”
Plans for the facility began in the fall of 2009, when student representatives of the Building and Grounds Committee proposed the need for such a space by emphasizing how a student union both benefits the strategic plan of the College and boosts student satisfaction and retention rates.
“When India presented her idea, a trustee leaned over to me and said, ‘James, take these students seriously. It’s too easy to put this on the to-do list,'” James Manifold, VP Business Affairs and chairman of the Facilities Planning Committee, says.
After considering several locations, the space near the Hampton Room above Malott Commons was chosen given its proximity to foot traffic in nearby Seal Court.
Even that obstacle 鈥� finding the ideal place on campus to host the space 鈥� was serendipitous. “What’s interesting is that that space had originally been designed for a Student Union,” adds Manifold. “Now, a full decade later, we have gone back to [architect] Brenda Levin’s original design.”
Since its opening, the student union has received a lot of positive feedback, with students from throughout the Claremont Consortium taking advantage of the space and its availability. It’s “a place for students to work and play,” India says, with great potential to become a central location for students to hold meetings, study, or just hang out.
SAS currently plans to host a community art project, giving students the role of designing their shared space with new and donated artwork for the walls. The hope is to make the student union a true collaboration among the 61传媒student body.
“We want the student union to be vibrant,” notes India. “It’s definitely a transition, but people are voting with their feet and using the space, which feels amazing.”