As the rumors continue to circulate campus, I realized it’s time to set it all straight. After sitting down with Rich Hurley, the Associate Director of Campus Engagement here at Bryant University, I am able to give everyone the 411.
Over this summer the Bryant Center will go through an extensive renovation not an expansion. The construction will be completed by September when the students move in and will be opened by mid to late September. The plan for the BC is for the building space to be optimized to be most functional and beneficial for the general student population, the student organizations, and the community at large.
The biggest question everyone’s asking – What food options will now be available?! So far the building is still in planning for the structure itself, as those details are being finalized the food options have hardly been addressed thus far. Bryant has existing contracts with Dunkin’ Donuts, Subway and Sodexo that they must work with. The biggest change planned in the food options will come through the new and improved Convenience store space. This miniature store will be expanded to provide many more food choices, including possibly some to go fresh pre-prepared meals. Bryant students should be pleased, as there are talks of healthier foods and I even suggested there should be food like sushi available here! This will be addressed in early 2013 by the committee planning the renovations –stay tuned for a follow-up article on HerCampus when the dining options for the Bryant Center are decided!
To take it floor by floor for you, the first and third floors will have the biggest renovations. The first floor will be leveled with no “pit” or raised areas as you currently see. The building will be more handicap accessible and include handicap bathrooms. The room space will be optimized and feature more suitable lounge and café seating. The space is going to be a great place to hang out, and there’s even going to be a fireplace! The feel of the building will truly change as the building becomes more spacious, especially when the stairwells are opened up. The wasted space where the stairs currently are placed will be opened into the rest of the main space and you will be able to see across the entire building while walking up the stairs. The information desk will be moved to this floor to make it more easily accessible and increase its utility. On the first floor will also be a sound proof music practice room and a room to seat over 200 people as Papitto and Heritage will then be separated by a removable wall.
The second floor will partially remain the same. The Bookstore, Commuter Connection, ICC and 2A/B and 2C will remain in their current state. The student mailboxes will be removed and replaced with offices for the Office of Campus Engagement. The Women’s Center and Pride Center will be moved down to the second floor into the current Nicks Place. The opening in the floor that allows viewing of the first floor will be shrunk. This will allow students to get to the bookstore without walking around the entire floor, as well as reduce the noise. There will be new furniture and a mixture of one person work stations, lounge seating and larger group stations to allow this space to be a great study and collaboration area.
The third floor will not have any hole in the floor! This will give so much more space and as anyone who is up there knows this will certainly be appreciated! Almost all the major orgs –Student Senate, ISO, SPB, Archway, Ledger, Greeks, MSU, and Community Service will all have offices! There will be expanded club storage and a 12 person conference room where E-boards and clubs can meet. In addition there will be four 6-person work stations. This space will serve its true purpose for student organizations on campus.
Many of the finer details have yet to be worked out, but we are sure the new look, feel and uses of the Bryant Center will surely benefit the entire Bryant community. As Rich Hurley said, “This renovation is undoubtedly going to transform and enhance our student life program at Bryant. It will bring all members of our community together to meet, to dine, to relax, to converse, and to share our ideas and passions in a vibrant and inclusive space. The Campus Engagement Team has truly enjoyed helping to make the wishes of our students come true. ”