printable versionOld Union renovation to relocate several groups, offices in fall
BY RAY DELGADO
The Old Union complex will shut down completely before the winter holiday break for renovations. University officials hope the construction will be finished by the time that students return to school in fall 2006.
The renovation of the Old Union complex to restore its historical function as a space for students is proceeding full steam ahead now that administrators have figured out where they will locate the various occupants of the complex after it is closed for construction in the Autumn Quarter.
The complex, which consists of three buildings constructed between 1915 and 1923 as a women's dormitory and the first campus student union, will completely close for renovations by the holiday break, but most functions currently housed there will be moved to new locations before then. The renovations, which are estimated to cost $24 million, are expected to be complete by the time students return for the Autumn 2006 quarter. White Plaza also will be remodeled while the complex is closed for renovation.
The Asian American Activities Center, the Native American Cultural Center and El Centro Chicano, all of which are currently housed in the complex, will be placed in temporary modulars at the end of the Autumn Quarter. The modulars, totaling 7,500 square feet with shared deck space, will be stationed on the parking lot at Santa Teresa Street and Lomita Drive, in front of the Black Community Services Center.
"They really understand that this renovation plan is an opportunity to return Old Union to being something special," said Greg Boardman, dean of student affairs, referring to the student groups. "They're using this as an opportunity to look at how they're organized."
Some administrative offices will move out of the complex during the summer so that they can be up and running in their new locations by the time that students return to campus. The office of Undergraduate Admission and Financial Aid will make a long-planned move to the Bakewell Building, which is currently being renovated. The offices of the Registrar, Student Financial Services, the Cashier and Housing Assignments will move to modulars to be built on a portion of the parking lot at Serra Street and Arguello Way, between Encina Hall and the Eating Clubs. Residential Education will move to modulars currently adjacent to that parking lot. Permanent locations for the administrative offices that will be housed in modulars have not yet been determined, said Laura Goldstein, project manager for the Department of Project Management.
The Office for Religious Life will move to temporary quarters near Memorial Church during the Thanksgiving break. Activities that are currently held in the Nitery Theater will be presented at other locations.
When completed, all of the student groups that are currently housed in the complex will return, along with the addition of several student publications that are currently housed elsewhere on campus. The main Old Union building will feature a large café and living room on the ground floor, as well as offices for the Associated Students of Stanford University (ASSU), the Office of Student Activities, and the Office for Religious Life, and meeting and organization spaces for student groups.
The plans for the complex were developed over several years by the Student Activity Space Task Force, made up of students, faculty and staff.