Renovation: New Spaces Designed for Students

THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED RENOVATIONS OF THE 3,726-SQUARE-FOOT COMMON GROUNDS COFFEEHOUSE AND STUDENT UNION WERE UNVEILED IN EARLY OCTOBER 2022. AT THE RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY IN FRONT OF THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM BLUELINE ARCHITECTS, HARMAN CONSTRUCTION, TRUMBO ELECTRIC AND MAST AND BRUNK, PRESIDENT SUSAN SCHULTZ HUXMAN EXPRESSED GRATITUDE FOR A PROJECT SHE CALLED “THE FASTEST RENOVATION IN THE HISTORY OF EMU.”

Open and welcoming, the coffee shop is in the heart of campus on prime real estate that once housed the bookstore. The 3,726-square-foot space features an adjacent stage, projector and sound system, comfortable seating options, bright decor and updated lighting. When EMU’s contract with its bookstore vendor came to a natural end, campus planners were excited by the opportunity to envision a more student-centered space aligned with community values.

“Our hope was to “enhance the spaces where gathering and community happen at EMU,” said Dean of Students Shannon Dycus. “In necessary and important ways, conversation and relationships are exchanged in informal spaces like this. Much like the living room in many homes, this new place invites students and staff to gather within and across existing academic and identity groups to be, talk, work and share.”

Students say their new “living room” has surpassed expectations. Briana Garcia-Sanchez, one of four student managers for the coffee house, likes the “more modern look and feel.” Her prediction that the centralized location would bring more foot traffic has been confirmed by increased business. "I love the new energy of this space,” said Ella Brubaker, Student Govern- ment Association co-president. “It’s a good place for students to create connections and study. You will almost always run into someone you know.”

Now a campus hub, the student union has hosted several formal and informal events, including an end-of-semester dance, trivia night, and study sessions for finals. The group games of the 2022 FIFA World Cup provided the first opportunity to host watch parties of important global and national events.

The $2.2 million renovation also included two major works of art, upgrades to the President’s Reception Room, and a new admissions space on the first floor as well as an ongoing renovation to the hallway leading to EMU Athletics.