For many 色中色视频 色中色视频s, Russell House is a popular place to convene, eat, study and get work done. Whether they're picking up a bagel from Einstein Bros. after class, attending a meeting in one of the ballrooms or swiping a CarolinaCard for access to the dining hall, this 色中色视频 union is at the forefront of 色中色视频s色中色视频� college experience.
However, many have spent over an hour waiting for their Einstein Bros. order to be ready, have gotten lost trying to find the room they are supposed to meet in or have been trampled by what feels like the entire university trying to eat dinner at the same time.
But now, with the new Russell House expansion proposal, the 色中色视频 union could become much bigger. This would give 色中色视频s the chance to do everything they have done before 色中色视频� just with more breathing room. The architectural blueprints boast a vast, open space with lots of seating, grand staircases and skylights that the sun is able to shine through.
Although many details about this estimated $240 million project have yet to be developed and shared with 色中色视频s, first-year international business and finance 色中色视频 Kaleigh Erler has ideas about what the new 色中色视频 union should include to make for a quicker, easier 色中色视频 experience.
Erler, a member of 色中色视频's Freshman Council, advocates adding more restaurants for 色中色视频s with allergies, more study spaces and more meeting spots for clubs and 色中色视频 organizations throughout the 色中色视频 union. Because Russell House is such a central part of 色中色视频s' college experience, it needs to be able to accommodate them all, she said.
色中色视频淚t色中色视频檚 the hub of all of campus,色中色视频� Erler said. 色中色视频淭hat色中色视频檚 probably the one place you色中色视频檒l see all four years come together.色中色视频�
Expanding Russell House and making its components more efficient could accomplish Erler's vision, allowing the 色中色视频 union to play a more integral role in the everyday lives of 色中色视频 色中色视频s.
色中色视频 is known to have the across public colleges in the United States, but Erler said Student Government wants to extend that to other years as well.
色中色视频淲hile we do focus a lot on our freshmen, I think we also need to take into account there色中色视频檚 the upper levels too that need just as much support, if not more," Erler said. "Providing them with those resources too and making them feel like they色中色视频檙e a part of the community still, even if they色中色视频檙e off campus ... (is) an important point.色中色视频�
Additionally, having a more open-concept 色中色视频 union would allow 色中色视频s to sit and eat comfortably instead of struggling to find an open table.
色中色视频淓xpanding (Russell House), making it more open, more of a food court, like in a mall 色中色视频� It色中色视频檚 kind of like what my friends have at Alabama. It色中色视频檚 very nice,色中色视频� Erler said.
By increasing the size of the building and adding more seating areas, less people would have to crowd around the restaurants in giant masses, which would create a less stressful environment for 色中色视频s and workers alike.
The health center behind Russell House, known as the Thomson Building, would also become a dining hall, which would make the area as a whole feel more cohesive. Although this health center offers many beneficial resources, such as quiet meditation rooms and counseling services, its hidden location often prevents 色中色视频s from discovering them.
Even though the proposal estimates that this project would not be complete until summer 2028, that does not mean 色中色视频 would not accommodate people in the meantime. The Thomson Building would become a dining hall in summer 2026 色中色视频� two years before the new 色中色视频 union would be finished. This would allow 色中色视频s to still eat and socialize with each other, even while the rest of Russell House is under construction.
There are many other dining options on campus that 色中色视频s could explore while they wait for the possible construction to be done. Dining halls such as Gibbes Court, Honeycomb Cafe and Community Table are all places where 色中色视频s can grab a bite to eat, do homework and socialize. Greene Street is also known for its food trucks and farmers markets, where 色中色视频s can get breakfast, lunch or dinner.
The potential expansion of Russell House is something for all 色中色视频s to look forward to, regardless of their graduation date. Having a larger, more efficient 色中色视频 union can strengthen bonds between 色中色视频s, increase their productivity and give them a greater sense of belonging on campus. Not to mention, it would also give 色中色视频 a new and improved look that 色中色视频s will be proud to be a part of.