After 56 years, the doors of the Ohio Union closed last week while student organizations, formerly situated in the building, packed up and headed to their new locations around campus. Temporary office areas, called “swing spaces”, have been implemented for several prominent groups until the new Union is completed in 2010.
A primary swing space for many of these groups is the Ohio Stadium, between gates 22 and 24. The Ohio Union Information Center, Explore Columbus, Ohio Union and Office of Student Activities, the Makio, Student Governments and the Student Organization Resource Center (SOURCE) have all found a new home in Ohio Stadium, according to the Ohio Union’s transition Web site.
“The Union considered several options around campus before deciding on the Ohio Stadium,” said Adam Burden, who oversees SOURCE operations. “We think it is the best option to be centrally located to campus, and both buildings – the Union and the stadium – are synonymous with tradition at Ohio State.”
Burden said the SOURCE, which provides student organization registration, funding and programming, moved from Room 211 of the Union to room 113A of the stadium on Thursday, primarily with the help of a moving company. They left nothing behind, taking everything from computers and copiers, to popcorn machines and markers. He said the move lasted the entire day, although it took much longer to pack and label every item prior to the move.
“It is too early to tell how the move will affect student involvement with the SOURCE, but I am confident we will be able to let people know where we are and what services we can provide to benefit student organizations,” Burden said.
To help get the word out, Burden said the SOURCE will be holding an open house and re-opening party Monday, Jan. 22 from 5-8 p.m. with free food and drinks, equipment demonstrations and tours, and the opportunity for everyone to see the new location.
“Besides the SOURCE, we have also been able to offer some student organizations office space,” Burden said. “We have 21 organizations with us at the stadium and 22 organizations at Raney Commons on north campus.”
Not all groups waited to make the move this past week, however. The Multicultural Center (MCC) moved from the fourth floor of the Union to Lincoln 128 on Dec. 18, said Rebecca Nelson, assistant vice president for Student Affairs, and director of the MCC. She said the MCC was shown three potential sites for its swing space, and voted on Lincoln 128, based on how well it would accommodate the staff of more than 25 people.
“Lincoln 128 really is a nice swing space option,” Nelson said. “We miss being close to the departments housed in the original Union, but we just have to be intentional about staying in touch with each other to provide the best possible service to students.”
Nelson said the new location is now more of a location for student lounging, planning meetings and holding small programs, but not a suitable place for medium to large-sized programs. She said the MCC staff will help to book other space on campus for larger programs.
“Any move involves a time of getting adjusted to new geography,” Nelson said in regards to informing the student body about the new location. “We have started PR efforts around our Web site, list serves, boards in the (former) Union, et cetera.”
Lincoln Tower also holds the swing space for the Student Advocacy Center, now located in Room 1120. Off Campus Student Services can now be found inside the former Long’s bookstore on the corner of 15th Avenue and High Street. Additionally, the address of the swing space for the Student Housing Legal Clinic is 33 W. 11th Ave.
Despite any inconveniences brought about because of the new Union project and swing spaces, Burden said it is well worth it. “The new Union will be phenomenal and one of the best student unions in the country when it opens,” he said.
Michael Evans can be reached at [email protected].
