FACILITY AND OPERATIONS
The MSC began the process of transforming two restrooms into Gender Neutral and Family-Friendly restrooms. A full renovation to the facilities, including the addition of a Nursing Mother’s station should be completed by Fall 2013. The MSC, Residential Life and Housing, and Student Life partnered to successfully bring digital signage to the Millennium Student Center, Oak Hall, and Provincial House. In partnership with Sodexo, food service has expanded to include Café TJ (located in the Thomas Jefferson Library) and Pizza Hut (located in the Nosh, MSC). Gallery Visio is now available as a room to be reserved in the MSC for small receptions. Fireside Lounge received some small updates including signage on the glass windows to promote more student interaction. Several coffeehouse singers were hosted in the space by the University Program Board. The MSC received a fresh paint job and new carpeting in some locations. The North entrance was also opened up to enhance pedestrian traffic with the removal of large potted plants. Villa Hall received renovations to the community kitchens and fresh paint throughout the building. Mansion Hill apartments units had all decks evaluated. Repairs and replacements were made as needed.
New recreation and wellness center
During the 2011-2012 academic year, a student referendum was held to determine the interest of UMSL students to assess themselves a fee of $19.25 per credit hour to build and maintain a Recreation and Wellness Center on the UMSL campus. The referendum passed by an overwhelming majority of students and the design phase is underway now. Planning is continuing as scheduled and groundbreaking of the Recreation and Wellness Center is currently scheduled for October 2013. Construction will take between 18 – 24 months. The projected opening of the building is Fall 2015. Throughout the planning phase special focus and attention has been paid to sustainability and the requirements of LEED Certification. At this time, it is very possible that the building will be able to receive LEED Certification at the Silver Level. Building amenities are planned to include the following: elevated jogging track, 3 court gym, 4 group fitness rooms, fitness and weight center, swimming pool, juice bar, and a wellness center.