Student Union (Valdosta State University)

The original University Union, built in 1966, contained the University snack bar, book store, radio station WVVS, mail services, a swimming pool, the offices of the University Union Board, Student Government Association, the yearbook, and newspaper editorial offices. The school book store was later relocated to a larger structure between S. Walter Martin Hall and the Special Education and Communication Disorders Building on the southern portion of the campus.[1] A committee of students, faculty, and staff was formed in 2004 to study the possibility of opening a new Student Union. It was determined that the original facility was inadequate to serve Valdosta State University's growing student enrollment.[2]

In 2008, after years of planning, construction began on a new facility to replace the outdated Union to better accommodate the growing student population of VSU. The construction of the facility was paid for through student fees.[3] The old 35,000-square-foot (3,300 m²) Student Union and the old gymnasium were demolished to allow room for the construction of the 113,000-square-foot (10,500 m²), three story building. The facility opened on January 7, 2010 and a ribbon cutting ceremony was held January 19.[4]

• The buildings official size is 113,604 square feet (10,554.2 m²)
• The total cost of construction was $43.2 Million
• WTW Architects of Pittsburgh and local firm Ellis, Rickett and Associates Architects and Planners designed the new student union and Skanska USA Building, Inc. served as contractors.[5]

The Student Union features a 305-seat theater with Dolby surround sound, a 10x17' movie screen, and convenience area outside the theater. A two-story, 20,000 square feet (1,900 m²) VSU Bookstore is located inside the Student Union that features a technology shop and text books on the first floor and university merchandise on the second. A game room that offers pool tables, table tennis, board and card games, and video gaming systems is on the bottom floor. On the second floor is a food court that contains a Moe's Southwest Grill, Starbucks, and a Chick-fil-A and features indoor and outside seating. On the third floor is a multi-Purpose Room with seating capacity for 540 persons and lecture seating capacity for 850 persons. The space can also be divided into three smaller rooms to host multiple events. A glass-walled, two-story rotunda serves as a lounge space with computer kiosks for students. The windows give students a view of Hopper Hall, Converse Hall and Odum Library. The Student Union also features space for student organizations with 24 suites that will accommodate student groups, and 6 meeting rooms.[6]

• 
  NE corner of Student Union dome
• 
  The former College Union newly constructed in 1967
• 
  The former Union in 1976
• 
  The rotunda in the new Student Union features lounge space and computer kiosks
• 
  Food Court

30.84697°N 83.28959°W / 30.84697; -83.28959