Student Center undergoes renovation
Aaron Bartlett
After returning from summer break this year, students were welcomed back with a new, updated student center to enjoy.
“When I walked in I was shocked to see that there had been a change with he student center”, said Jesse Staubach, an audio production student.
According to Greg Reents, director of Student Life and Leadership, the improvement was funded with money from a bond that was passed for the Maricopa County Community College District in 2004.
“The idea for the improvement of the student center had been on the mind of the college for years,” he said.
Andrew Kuhn, student body president of MCC, believes the improvements are a great bonus for students.
“This new center provides a bigger common area where students can eat, talk, and study for their classes,” he said.
Grounds for Thought, the coffee shop in the student center, also received a boost from this bond.
“When Grounds for Thought opened in the student center in 1994, all they had was a coffee cart to sell their product out of,” said Rick Hanson, manager of Grounds for Thought.
The money has helped improve the outdated coffee shop and given it a new attractive look with up-to-date equipment and technology.
Although there have already been several changes to student center, Reents has more plans for the center.
“We are still not done with the whole student center,” he said.
By the end of September, Reents plans to have a fully functional gaming center along with new lounge furniture, flooring and new entrances.
The Navajo and Zuni rooms will also receive renovations this year.
Completion is expected by spring 2013.
