The University of Texas at Austin will officially open its second student union during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 7, in the Northwest Courtyard of the new Student Activity Center. A reception will follow in the center’s ballroom.
University President William Powers Jr., Student Government President Scott Parks and other university officials and student leaders will speak during the event.
Centrally located near Speedway Street next to Gregory Gymnasium, the Student Activity Center opened on Jan. 18, the first day of classes for students returning for the spring semester.
The 149,000-square-foot building was designed to meet the gold rating standard established by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). In addition to offices, a food court and a number of lounge spaces, the building contains 13 meeting areas, including an auditorium, ballroom, black box theatre, legislative assembly room and a dance rehearsal room.
Designed and built according to student specifications, the building also is funded by students through a referendum they approved in 2006. Construction began in January 2009 and was completed in December 2010.
The university’s first student union, The Texas Union, is on the West Mall near Guadalupe and 24th streets. It was built in 1933.
For more information, contact Crystal King, director of the Student Activity Center, at 512-232-0818, or visit the Student Activity Center Web site.
