The new University Bookstore, located across from Crossroads Café in UC.
A remodeled first floor of
University Center has reopened, welcoming students back to campus after the
winter intersession.
Formerly the home of student
leadership and engagement and meeting space for student clubs, which moved to
the UC fourth floor, the first floor now hosts the university bookstore, a more
open Crossroads Café, a relocated Outtahere conveniece food stop (now in the
back of Crossroads Café) and expanded and cushioned seating.
“The university has been working
to improve the UC over the past 12-18 months,” said J.J. Thorpe, facilities
project manager. “Our efforts have been to update the caliber of the space as
well as creating more space for students to study or hang out.”
The cafeteria, and fourth and
fifth floors of the UC received extensive makeovers this summer with updated
fixtures and furniture, fewer walls offering more natural light, and more
cushioned seating open to students. Many of UC’s new student lounge spaces are
open 24 hours, plus there are now double the number of meeting rooms for
studying compared to before the upgrades.
The Parina Lounge, the
ever-popular student hangout on the third floor, has also been given a
facelift, including new lighting and touch-ups to the wood paneling.
Next up, pending permit approval, is the
construction of a solarium to replace the outdoor patio and cement benches on
UC’s east side that were underused because the space was always shaded and
cold. The solarium, with a glass exterior wall, skylights, a fireplace, and
additional cushioned seating will be reminiscent of San Francisco’s Park Chalet
(restaurant) once completed, said Mike London, USF facilities director.
