University Center East Spaces

University Center East adds badly needed space for student organizations, two new eateries, student commons areas and lounges (including the Fireside Lounge, Heritage Lounge, Traditions Lounge, and Student Life Lounge), meeting and conference space, and office space for the Dean of Students, Student Development Programs, the Multicultural Center, International Programs and Services, Center for Academic Creativity, and Outreach and Engagement.

Among the student organizations housed in the lower level are the Student Government Association, the Activities Programming Board, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and The Shield student newspaper. The Shield's suite of offices in the lower level of UC East includes a reception area, offices for the editor and the faculty advisor, a conference room, and two rooms with multiple working spaces for advertising and editorial staff.

There are more than 100 student organizations at USI. UC East can accommodate 25 organizations, while the former UC (now known as UC West) had space only for a dozen. There are also 20 large storage lockers for student organizations and a Graphics Room where members can make signs and paint banners, including two graphics computers for student group use. There are now three new programming areas for events: the new amphitheatre north of UC West, a courtyard area north of UC East, and the Student Life Lounge in the lower level of UC East.

The first level features Salsa Rico and Cyclone Salads, offering more dining options on campus and alleviating long lines and crowded seating in UC West. The offices of the Dean of Students, Student Development Programs, International Programs and Services, and the Multicultural Center are housed on this level, which features several dining and common areas including the Fireside Lounge.

The second level houses the Division of Outreach and Engagement, features several conference rooms, and includes the stunning Traditions Lounge located within the University Center Tower. The Traditions Lounge, dedicated to USI alumni, offers a dramatic ceiling open to the top of the tower and views of the University Quad. The second level Heritage Lounge offers the best view of the Orr Iron Arch and the decorative Jasper Chair Legs suspended from the ceiling.

UC East brings the combined University Center space to 173,904 square feet, including 59,720 of reconstructed former library and 20,815 of a new multi-story link and tower construction. The total project cost $18.6 million.