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ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø will cut the ribbon Monday, March 17, on its new Anna Lee and Sidney Allen Family Student Center at 11:20 a.m. on the plaza of the new building, following a celebration chapel at 10:50 a.m. in the S.E. Belcher Jr. Chapel and Performance Center, 2100 S. Mobberly Ave.
The new 65,000-square-foot building is located in the high traffic center of campus along the university mall beside the Margaret Estes Library. Named in honor of local university supporters Anna Lee and Sidney Allen of Longview, the building is designed to serve as a dynamic hub for the entire campus to build community among students from all over campus.
"Originally slated to open in Fall 2014, we are opening the Allen Family Student Center after spring break to give our seniors the opportunity to use the facility before they graduate in May," said LETU President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford. He noted that the university mail center and print shop will move to the new building during the summer so the building would be fully functional by the Fall 2014 semester.
The open design of the two-story commons area is intended to provide a space for students to enjoy a meal from an expanded Hive coffee shop featuring an expanded grill, pizza oven and made-to-order hot and cold foods including burritos and submarine sandwiches. The Hive supplements the university's main Corner Café dining hall.
Overlooking the commons area will be a specially wired video gaming room for students to conduct multi-player video games.
The building features a terraced patio area on the north side for al fresco dining and outdoor concerts on the university mall. The building also features student services, including health, counseling and career services, as well as administrative offices.
On Monday, to help students get acquainted with the new building, they will be issued "passports" that can be stamped during tours of 10 different stations in the building. The stamped passports then can be turned in for a drawing to win prizes.