Student Union (Florida State University)

The Rowena Longmire Student-Alumnae building opened in 1940. Described as "the center of activities for student organizations"[5] as well as recreation and social purposes for both students and faculty.[5]

In 1952, the Student Center was completed and called, "the Alum". It had a jukebox, room for dancing and a snack bar. A few years later, the post office took over the space occupied by the dance floor.[5]

The Student Center was greatly expanded in 1964 and named the "University Union" on November 14. The 130,000 sq ft (12,000 m²) complex contained the "Davis Building", the "Moore Auditorium", the "Crenshaw Building", the "Activities Building", and the Olympic-sized "Union Pool". Facilities included dining rooms, meeting rooms, offices, lounges, a barbershop and beauty salon, a ticket office and game rooms.[5]

In 1974 the "University Union" complex was named for Ross R. Oglesby, Professor of Government and dean of students for ten years. He was instrumental in the 1964 Union expansion and remodel. At the 1975 dedication, he was identified as a key University Union planner and “a friend of students”. The Oglesby Union Board had jurisdiction over buildings that housed dozens of departments with one exception: the Union Post Office Building.[5]

The state's Capital Improvement Trust Fund (CITF) provided $9 million to renovate and expand the "Oglesby Union" complex in 1988. The 96,150 sq ft (8,933 m²) "Turner Building" was constructed and renovation of 60,000 sq ft (5,600 m²) in the original complex was completed providing a computer lab, a Senate chamber, a video center, thirteen additional meeting rooms, six retail locations, an Art Center, twenty new offices and a video games arcade.[5]

Another $3 million for an expansion/renovation project was received from the CITF in 1995, earmarked for the 1964 "Activities Building". The roof was replaced, water & sewer lines were relocated, and restrooms were modernized. Additional meeting rooms and offices were constructed.[5]

The "Askew Student Life Center" (ASLC) was constructed in 2000 using $8.5 million in CITF funding. Named for Governor Reubin Askew in 2006. The ASLC included: a 380-seat multimedia theater; four 35-seat, business-quality meeting rooms; suites which provide office, meeting and workspace for: the Graduate Student Center, the Congress of Graduate Students, the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC); offices for the University Housing Office and Student Counseling Center; a cyber café for computer gaming; and a dining facility for expanded on-campus food service.[5]

A 2001 renovation of the Activity Building third floor and the Ballrooms in the Turner Building was paid for by $2,458,350 in CITF money. Offices in the Activity building were enhanced with features to increase productivity and facilitate their use as a resource center. In the Ballrooms, new HVAC equipment was installed as well as a sound system, carpeting and cosmetic improvements.[5]

A two-year renovation and landscaping of Union Green was completed in 2006. The greenspace, located east of the Oglesby Union, is used for special events.[5]

Previously, the Oglesby Union was composed of six connected structures, with the oldest building originating in 1940.[4] When the Oglesby Union was built in 1952, there were about 5,000 students;[6] current enrollment is over 40,000.[2] After the millennium passed, most of the original Oglesby Union complex buildings were in poor condition and lacked capacity for the current student population. It was apparent that the entire complex needed to be replaced. Part of the original Oglesby structure was incorporated into the new design;[7] the remaining buildings were demolished in Spring of 2018. During initial planning, the estimated budget was $100 million.[6] By the time bids were awarded, the cost for the new Union was $120 million with a completion in fall of 2020.[7] Construction of the single facility was started just before the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States began.[3]

Oglesby Union, razed in 2018