Campus Center Opens for Business and Celebration

Visit the new Campus Center Web site today: www.umb.edu/campuscenter

By Leigh DuPuy

Large floor-to-ceiling windows filled with sparkling harbor views, stunning atriums, sage-green carpeting, that “new building” smell — these are some of the first things people may notice in exploring the 330,000-square-foot Campus Center. However, for those moving into the center and for those who return again and again, this is only the beginning of new sights, sounds, and experiences permeating the building and the entire UMass Boston community.

“I’m delighted to see the activity and energy that is already filling the new building,” says Chancellor Gora. “It’s wonderful to see our plans for a robust student center really starting to take shape.”

Beginning March 5, student services and offices began their move into their new spaces, including those of Financial Aid, Admissions, Registrar, Bursar, Student Employment, Career Services, a game room, Student Life offices, as well as the offices of the vice chancellors for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

“It’s a huge excitement for me that we’ll be able to provide services more easily to students,” says Joyce Morgan, director of Student Life, whose office is located on 3rd floor West. “I’ll be able to stand at my office doorway and look across the floor, see what’s going on in our student groups.”

Throughout March, activity flowed into and out of the center. The Atrium Café, a delicious bakery filled with the aroma of Seattle’s Best coffee, fresh fruit salads, and tempting pastries located on the upper level, opened on March 8, drawing the curious from other areas of campus to not only sample the new fare but also to take a moment to sit in the large four-story atrium and experience the bustle of people beginning to fill the building. Study groups now frequent the atrium tables, and faculty walk in twos or threes to take in the first new building on campus in 23 years.

On March 22, even more gourmet options became available as the food court opened on the first floor. Preparations have been made for future alumni events in the alumni room, faculty gatherings at University Dining (both located on the second floor), and special events to be held in the center’s third–floor ballroom. The “bigger and better” bookstore, located on the first floor, was scheduled to open its doors on March 31.

However, it’s not all unpacking orange moving crates and taking personal tours of the building. Celebrations of the center will be taking place throughout the months of March and April. The Office of Student Affairs has organized a three-day festival, including a March 31 welcome breakfast and a student gala held on April 2 with dancing and music by JAM’N 94.5 F.M. Entertainment is slated to include performances by the UMass Boston jazz band, free movies, a performing hypnotist, and a festival replete with games, caricature artists, basketball hoop shoots, tarot card readings, and more.

Government officials, community leaders, and members of the university community will participate in an official inauguration of the building with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, April 2, featuring Chancellor Jo Ann Gora, Lt. Governor Kerry Healey, Boston mayor Thomas M. Menino ’88, and Commissioner David B. Perini of the Division of Capital Asset Management, the project manager.

On Monday, April 26, the university will host the “Building on Our Strengths” Gala in support of the Chancellor’s Scholarship Fund. Mayor Menino will receive the first Chancellor’s Exemplary Leadership Award, along with fellow alumni Reverend Kathleene B. Card ’76 of Trinity United Methodist Church, and Clayton H.W. Turnbull ’82, CEO of the Boston-based Waldin Group, Inc. Headliners such as Dan Rea ’70 of CBS 4 will serve as master of ceremonies for the event, and Grammy Award–winning recording artist Judy Collins will give a special performance. Collins also will be receiving the Voice of the Community award at the gala.

For many, the creation of a new “heart of the campus,” as Vice Chancellor Keith Motley calls it, has been in development since 1992. Funding for the project was approved in 1997 and design work began with input from students, staff, and faculty throughout campus. From that hot and sunny day in July 2001 when ground was broken to celebrations of the center opening, the university has come a long way to carry out this vision of a UMass Boston for the 21st century.

Images: Joyce Morgan, director of Student Life, happily adjusts to her new space. (Photo by Harry Brett); Students help move boxes.

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