January 11, 2007

Norris University Center gets cozy

Effort to make student center more inviting brings Starbucks, fireplace

By Amanda Morris

Norris University Center officials have opened a new student lounge and Starbucks on the first floor.

Plans for the facility’s renovation project began two years ago when the Norris administration began a needs assessment procedure to discover what the campus wanted in its student union. It was a comprehensive process involving focus groups and surveys for faculty, staff and students.

“We learned a number of things throughout the process,” said Richard Thomas, director of Norris. “But one thing jumped out at us; people said over and over that they wanted a coffee house.”

Customers will be able to order coffee drinks over the counter that once secured student group mailboxes and files. The computer lab and couches have been replaced with a fireplace, flat-screen television and new tables and chairs.

The renovated lounge has been named “The Couches.” Prior to the renovation, the seating consisted of very large armchairs pushed together. The chairs had been called “couches” by many students. The new lounge will have several couches. 

New furnishings include chairs, café seating, computer stations and carpeting. More computers will be added over time. The large flat-panel television will be placed outside of the Dittmar Memorial Gallery. Students will be able to watch future programs and promotions, the events happening that day in Norris Center and television programs.

There are plans to hold various types of programs in The Couches. The Center for Student Involvement will work to bring student musical acts, poetry readings, and more to this new space designed for many different groups of students. 

The fireplace has been installed near the windows on the east side of the lounge.

“I believe we will have the only working fireplace on campus,” said Thomas. “It’s going to be a great amenity, especially in winter quarter.”

Another finding by the Norris administration was that people did not find the building to be comfortable and inviting. Thomas hopes the new coffee house environment will create a “hang out space” where people will not only want to visit but will want to stay.

“We hope to create a place that brings people together and creates community on campus,” he said.

The Starbucks outlet is full-service with a menu of coffee drinks and food. The hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.

Norris had few problems accommodating the construction. The main lounge furniture was temporarily redistributed to the underground, ground and second floors. The computers were relocated to the game room. And the main desk has permanently moved to the west entrance of the building, which will now better serve as a welcome center for the building.