University Center East

University Center East is the culmination of planning and construction that began in 2008-2009, but its origins are rooted in the history of USI and the surrounding region.

The new facility adds badly needed space to the central campus for student organizations, two new eateries, student commons areas and lounges (including the Fireside Lounge and Heritage Lounge), meeting and conference facilities, 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 new space are the Student Government Association, the Activities Programming Board, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and The Shield Student newspaper.

The facility is distinguished by extensive use of local building materials, applied in many cases in groundbreaking new ways (see Ode to Indiana). The project also creates an architecturally distinctive centerpiece in the 97-foot-tall conical tower. In its interior, the tower houses additional seating for dining on the ground level. On its second level, with a dramatic ceiling open to the top of the structure, is Traditions Lounge honoring USI alumni.

The tower element, which will be largely clad in Indiana limestone, contains a dining room on the first level, and a student lounge on the second floor. The design has evolved slightly from earlier versions. The top treatment is now more integrated into the overall shape of the tower.

The project is distinguished not only by its uniquely shaped centerpiece, but also by its extensive use of local building materials, applied, in many cases, in groundbreaking new ways.