Although the new Student Union Building first opened its doors on campus in July, UNM observed the building's official opening yesterday at a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring comments from the University and student leaders.
"We finally have our building back," ASUNM President Jennifer Onuska told a crowd gathered outside the SUB's north entrance. "I don't think the students could be more excited."
Some students might say Onuska's remark is an understatement
The new SUB features more computers, student organization office space, food choices, patio space and conference rooms than the old SUB, which closed for renovations in 2000.
Freshman Justin Ruth said he had never been in the old SUB, but he had heard mostly negative things about it.
"I heard it was real crowded," Ruth said. He added that the building's help desk, computer lab and movie theater will draw student interest.
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The official ceremony marking the SUB's opening was postponed until after the beginning of the fall term because University administrators wanted more people on campus to celebrate it.
"I can't tell you what a difference it's making on our campus," student Regent Andrea Cook told the crowd after observing the amount of activity in the building this week.
UNM President Louis Caldera said having the new centralized location for student activity is important.
"It was 8 years ago that one of the major goals of Student Affairs was to replace the old, worn-out SUB," said Eliseo Torres, vice president for Student Affairs. "After eight years, we are here to celebrate a wonderful creation."
That creation is still incomplete as SUB officials wait to fill two lower-level rooms earmarked for non-food, retail space.
"We would hope to have them filled during the fall semester," said Walt Miller, associate vice president for Student Development. "We are in the process of discussions."
Miller said there had been some interest in establishing a mail office, but that fell through.
The rooms have been wired and framed by SUB contractors, Miller said, but flooring and painting will be completed after a retailer has agreed to move in.
Miller added that feedback from students has been positive.
Torres thanked Associated Students of UNM presidents, past and present, for their efforts, which helped pave the way for the SUB's renovations.
"The dedication of this building is for the students," he said. "It is their home and that's the way it should be."
The next campus project Torres has in his sights is the development of the Cornell Mall which runs from Central Avenue, past the Center for Fine Arts and through to the SUB.
Torres did not specify when the development would begin or what it would include.
