Student voice is the driving force of our great university, and students will lead
the planning and programmatic design of our next capital initiative, a new student
union. The New Student Union Project will identify the role of the student union on
our campus and its important impact on our campus culture.
Share Your Ideas
We invite you to be part of the conversation by submitting questions, giving us your
ideas and dreams or sharing a favorite memory of your time at the Russell House.
"I am so excited to see the University of South Carolina take on this new project
and emerge as a leader among other colleges and universities in terms of student unions.
I'm looking forward to working to accommodate the changing needs of students and predicting
what those needs might be in 30 years. I love the history and traditions of the University
of South Carolina, and I am looking forward to finding ways to incorporate our past
with the current and future needs of students."
"The student union is one of the first places a student learns. Students come to the
student union to laugh, to eat, and to study, but most of all, to form a strong sense
of community among their peers. The student union gives a university its character.
It’s the heartbeat of campus, an automatic safe space, and the hub of campus life.
Students of all walks of life should feel like they have a place to build community,
which is why diversity of programs and services in the student union are essential!"
"As a senior student soon to begin graduate school, I am truly thrilled to be part
of this Union Steering Committee. I believe that I will bring valuable insight from
multiple perspectives as my interactions with the student union have thus far been
many through various avenues of campus involvement. Serving as a University Ambassador
has allowed me to see the union through visitors’ eyes on a weekly basis, and I am
absolutely ecstatic to work together on this project that will serve future Gamecocks
for generations to come. Much of the excitement that I have for serving on the Union
Steering Committee involves the opportunity to affect the role that the union plays
in the student experience at Carolina. I truly feel that this responsibility is paramount
in creating recognized value through our new student union for each and every student
at the University of South Carolina."
"I’m most excited to serve on this committee because it allows me the opportunity
to help craft the vision for the future student union — one that can and will be student
focused and represent the needs of the growing and extremely diverse student body
at the University of South Carolina. The union plays an important role in the student
experience at Carolina in that it is the place where everyone on campus, from all
walks of life, can come and be engaged in student organizations, share meals and fellowship
with close friends, participate in thoughtful debate, and grow from experiential learning
opportunities."
"The union will not only be beneficial to the current student but also the prospective
student. For a prospective student, the campus of a college is one of the most important
element as they search for their best fit. The student union serves as the element
engraved into their minds. For the current student, I visualize the union being a
focal point of campus where students come to cultivate their academic, cultural and
social aspects of themselves."
"The student union plays a diverse role at the university. For some, it’s a place
of meetings and gatherings for organizations. For others, it’s a place to gather with
friends for a meal. For off-campus students, it may provide solitude for studying
between classes. The union serves a different purpose for everyone, but in its’ purest
form, it serves as a multi-tool that allows students to utilize it in the best way
they see fit."
"The union is a central part of the student experience at Carolina. It provides students
a place to gather, creates a sense of community, and gives opportunities for students
to become connected with the university. Ultimately, the union is a place for students
to come together and a place where all students are welcome, which makes it such an
important aspect of campus life."
"I’m excited to be a part of this committee because I see it as tangible opportunity
to shape the legacy that’s left behind by my class. The union serves as a hub for
students and, as such, is the first thing that shapes their understanding of the student
life experience here at the university."
Major:BARSC: Jurisprudence and Education Policy (2020) Email:blunn@email.sc.edu
William Quinlan
"Students can offer unique, first-hand perspectives of what the new union can be because
we are the ones who are using these facilities the most. Past experiences with dining,
recreation and relaxation in campus facilities give students expert insights on what
the new union should feature. Being able to be one of the individuals to convey these
insights as a part of the New Union Steering Committee is an exciting opportunity."
"The student union plays many roles in the student experience at Carolina. It is
the main hub of the university and can be considered our battery. Under one roof,
the student union is able to hold classrooms, work spaces, dining and student services.
It serves as a cultural enrichment center as well as a facility to enhance social
involvement. It is one of the most important buildings on campus that enhances the
student experience at Carolina."
Major: Finance, Marketing and Real Estate (2020) Email:Acs13@email.sc.edu
