What’s New on Campus? Commuter Lounge, Labuda Expansion, and More
As students settle in for the fall semester, they’ll notice some big changes across campus.
The office of campus environment and Denise Shive, project manager, spent the summer putting the finishing touches on several key projects, including a new commuter lounge in the Dorothy Day Student Union and the expansion of both the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts and the Veterans Lounge in Dooling Hall.
Crews broke ground on the Labuda project in early spring. The new space features an additional 6,000 square feet with 11 new offices, a 100-seat tiered viewing room for TV/film students to display their projects, a changing room, and an expanded storage area.
Labuda is also now home to the University’s Virtual Production Studio, which was previously housed on Route 378. The studio boasts an AOTO high-performance LED screen comprised of two 13x10 feet sections, an upgraded control studio, and a new computer classroom with high-powered graphics.
“The addition to the TV/Film area of Labuda not only gives us much-needed space, but, with the Virtual Production Studio, gives our faculty the ability to teach film processes used by major Hollywood studios. We are one of the few undergraduate programs in the country to have this technology.”
In Dooling Hall, the Veterans Lounge has doubled in size to accommodate expanded seating, additional computers, a receptionist desk, and a glass entryway.
In the Dorothy Day Student Union, Sandella’s has been replaced with a Jimmy John’s sandwich shop and Frankie’s Market. Next door to Jimmy John’s is the new commuter lounge, which features a kitchenette with a fridge, sink, microwave, and coffee maker, as well as expanded seating and new charging areas.
“We wanted to enhance the commuter experience and provide these students with a more comfortable space to study and socialize,” says Marc Albanese, vice president for campus environment.
Looking ahead, more changes are on the horizon. Crews plan to start work this fall on the new university pub, which will be located in the campus store in the DeSales University Center. The pub is slated to open in the spring semester.
Also next summer, crews will break ground on the new Robert J. Breslin Welcome Center at the intersection of Landis Mill Road and Preston Lane. The welcome center will be a gateway to campus, serving as a first stop for visitors and prospective students. It will house touchdown offices for the admissions office, alumni office, and Career Development Center. It will also feature a swag store and presentation rooms, and it will be used to host receptions.
Campus environment is also in the early planning stages of a major expansion of Dorothy Day, which will include more study and lounge areas for students, an expanded fitness center, commuter locker rooms, and a game room.
