A new student lounge with designated study areas, retro video games and a large television is set to be completed ahead of the fall semester, filling the previous Starbucks location at the Colvard Student Union.
Last year, Starbucks and State Fountain Bakery were moved to the newly renovated Perry Food Hall, opening up a large section of space in the Colvard Student Union, one of the busiest buildings on campus, and paving the way for a new student-focused spot.
Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Jackie Mullen said this new area serves a dual purpose. The space that previously housed the State Fountain Bakery and the area behind the previous Starbucks location will become an extension of the MSU Event Services suite. The rest of the space will be converted into a student lounge.
The university polled members of the Student Association to gather feedback on what the space would look like.
“It came back that they wanted to see more space where they could gather and hang out, but also a space they could use for events,” Mullen said.
While the union also includes the Dawg House, which offers live entertainment such as music and poetry as well as study space, Raymond Brooks, executive director of the Colvard Student Union and Event Services, said its goal is to give the space a different atmosphere.
In 1964, when the Colvard Student Union was built, it originally housed a bowling alley, pinball machines, pool tables, restaurants and offices for student groups like the Reflector or the Reveille.
More than 60 years later, the new student lounge is expected to include a large television, designated study areas and retro video games. Brooks said the space will feature several arcade-style games, including Pac-Man, Defender, NBA Jam and Dig Dug.
“Right now, we are hoping to set it up for free play, so the people can come in and play, and it does not cost the students anything,” Brooks said.
Brooks added that the university will evaluate the free play policy based on how the space is used.
Mullen said flexibility is a key component of the lounge’s design.
“We will have some individual space for students to study on their own, but the place will be flexible… so that you can go from an individual space to a group space,” Mullen said.
Martyn White, an event services engineer working on the project, said the team is mindful of balancing multiple activities, including the arcade area, the large TV that students can use and the study area, within the limited space.
“It is only just getting underway, but I think it is going to be fine,” White said. “I know it is a small space, but we are trying to take that into consideration.”
Brooks emphasized that the student lounge was designed for students and that it is important that they enjoy it.
“We want to create a space that draws people in, that’s exciting, and where they can come hang out with their friends,” Brooks said.
The lounge will feature a modern design accented with Mississippi State’s school colors. Mullen said the space will also highlight student life on campus.
“It will have some art in it that will be able to showcase the student experience and will highlight some of the activities that we do,” Mullen said.
Mullen credited the Campus Services and design teams for successfully merging ideas.
“They had a vision, and we had a vision, and we were able to put it together,” Mullen said.
Not only will this lounge provide students with a place to hang out, but it will also allow events to take place in this new space.
“We’re trying to make it a space where students can hang out if they want to, but it can also be a reservable space if you want to do that for private events,” Brooks said.
Mullen said the need for additional planning and event space has grown alongside campus involvement and that the Event Services expansion will help with the increasing number of events that the school has seen as of late.
“We’re doing more events on this campus than we’ve ever had; we needed more space to be able to plan events,” Mullen commented.
Construction for the project is now moving forward.
“Seeing them take a space that was empty and make it come to life is especially great to watch,” Mullen said.
The student lounge and Event Services suite expansion is expected to be completed by August, ahead of the fall semester.
