Student Union (Florida State University)

The FSU Student Union is the Student center on the campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee, in the U.S. state of Florida. The brick building is a modern structure with a Collegiate Gothic exterior to match the architectural design of most of the buildings on the university's campus. It officially opened on September 23, 2022 replacing six aged buildings, some nearly 70 years old.

1940s-1950s-1960s
The Rowena Longmire Student-Alumnae building opened in 1940. Described as "the center of activities for student organizations" as well as recreation and social purposes for both students and faculty.

In 1952, the Student Center was completed and called, "the Alum". It had a jukebox, room for dancing and a snack bar. A few years later, the post office took over the space occupied by the dance floor.

The Student Center was greatly expanded in 1964 and named the "University Union" on November 14. The 130000 sqft complex contained the "Davis Building", the "Moore Auditorium", the "Crenshaw Building", the "Activities Building", and the Olympic-sized "Union Pool". Facilities included dining rooms, meeting rooms, offices, lounges, a barbershop and beauty salon, a ticket office and game rooms.

1970s-1980s-1990s
In 1974 the "University Union" complex was named for Ross R. Oglesby, Professor of Government and dean of students for ten years. He was instrumental in the 1964 Union expansion and remodel. At the 1975 dedication, he was identified as a key University Union planner and “a friend of students”. The Oglesby Union Board had jurisdiction over buildings that housed dozens of departments with one exception: the Union Post Office Building.

The state's Capital Improvement Trust Fund (CITF) provided $9 million to renovate and expand the "Oglesby Union" complex in 1988. The 96150 sqft "Turner Building" was constructed and renovation of 60000 sqft in the original complex was completed providing a computer lab, a Senate chamber, a video center, thirteen additional meeting rooms, six retail locations, an Art Center, twenty new offices and a video games arcade.

Another $3 million for an expansion/renovation project was received from the CITF in 1995, earmarked for the 1964 "Activities Building". The roof was replaced, water & sewer lines were relocated, and restrooms were modernized. Additional meeting rooms and offices were constructed.

2000s-2010s
The "Askew Student Life Center" (ASLC) was constructed in 2000 using $8.5 million in CITF funding. Named for Governor Reubin Askew in 2006. The ASLC included: a 380-seat multimedia theater; four 35-seat, business-quality meeting rooms; suites which provide office, meeting and workspace for: the Graduate Student Center, the Congress of Graduate Students, the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC); offices for the University Housing Office and Student Counseling Center; a cyber café for computer gaming; and a dining facility for expanded on-campus food service.

A 2001 renovation of the Activity Building third floor and the Ballrooms in the Turner Building was paid for by $2,458,350 in CITF money. Offices in the Activity building were enhanced with features to increase productivity and facilitate their use as a resource center. In the Ballrooms, new HVAC equipment was installed as well as a sound system, carpeting and cosmetic improvements.

A two-year renovation and landscaping of Union Green was completed in 2006. The greenspace, located east of the Oglesby Union, is used for special events.

Previously, the Oglesby Union was composed of six connected structures, with the oldest building originating in 1940. When the Oglesby Union was built in 1952, there were about 5,000 students; current enrollment is over 40,000. After the millennium passed, most of the original Oglesby Union complex buildings were in poor condition and lacked capacity for the current student population. It was apparent that the entire complex needed to be replaced. Part of the original Oglesby structure was incorporated into the new design; the remaining buildings were demolished in Spring of 2018. During initial planning, the estimated budget was $100 million. By the time bids were awarded, the cost for the new Union was $120 million with a completion in fall of 2020. Construction of the single facility was started just before the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States began.



Planning & construction
Lawrence Rubin was FSU's Director of Design and Construction. With 30 years of experience at FSU, he was involved with the biggest projects on campus. “Having a consistent architectural theme, knitted together by shaded walkways, courtyards, and plazas is something we’ve focused on,” according to Rubin. It was clear that everything needed to be significantly larger and that students wanted to continue the activities that were previously available. To examine other possibilities, he took his design team to half a dozen other campuses in both the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference. They looked at other student unions and talked to the managers there for insights.

Multiple delays in acquiring material and labor pushed back the completion date almost two years, much to the consternation of students. While the new building was under construction, some of the activities offered at the old Oglesby were simply unavailable. Some students complained that no student union existed during their career at FSU.

Tenants
The entities at the Union include:

{|
 * valign="top"|

Lower level

 * Club Downunder
 * Proof at FSU (Sports Bar)
 * Bowling & Billiards
 * Creative Art Center
 * Student Publications


 * valign="top"|

First level

 * Panera Bread
 * Pollo Tropical
 * Panda Express
 * Brooklyn Pizza
 * Starbucks Coffee
 * FSU Bookstore
 * Trading Post C-store
 * 2 Conference rooms
 * Atrium 48' vertical


 * valign="top"|

Second level

 * Union Administrative offices
 * Ballrooms A-B-C-D-E
 * 2 Conference rooms
 * Mezzanine
 * Balcony


 * valign="top"|

Third level

 * Student Government Association (SGA)
 * Student Organizations and Involvement (SOI)
 * Student Union Activity Board (SUAB)
 * Senate Chambers
 * Fraternity and Sorority Life
 * Class Councils
 * Congress of Graduate Students (COGS)
 * RISE
 * Student Union Offices: Asian-American, Hispanic-Latinx
 * Student Union Offices: Jewish, Pride, Veterans, Womans
 * Balcony
 * }

A number of organizations for students have offices on the third level of the Student Union; however, FSU has more than 750 Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) on campus. The Student Union Activities Board and Student Organizations and Involvement Office provide services, resources, and help with events and programs that facilitate student engagement.

Activities
Rubin included a large, open Union Plaza to accommodate two existing traditions outside: Market Wednesday hosts sales by recognized student organizations, market vendors, and passersby. Vendor Thursdays allows people to showcase a product, service, or event to the FSU community.

The five ballrooms occupy 15000 sqft, or 1/3 acre. Lightweight "air walls" allow the space to be divided into five separate areas, and the 30' ceilings make the space massive for events with 600+ guests.

The FSU Computer Store did not relocate to the Student Union. It is still located in the Shaw Building at 644 W Call Street. Several food court vendors that were proposed for the new building did not follow through. Brooklyn Pizza replaced Seminole Pies; Panera Bread replaced Einstein Bagels; Pollo Tropical replaced PDQ; no sushi or smoothie store made the cut. A Truist ATM replaced Wells Fargo. There are still twelve alleys at Bowling & Billiards, but pool tables were reduced from ten to eight. The FSU Bookstore doubled in size. Although all incoming mail for students living in campus residence halls is addressed to a U-box at 75 N. Woodward Avenue (the Student Union), there is no longer mail service at the Union. Students are emailed when a package arrives, and it must be picked up at the UPS Store, 206 S Woodward Avenue.

Directors of the Student Union complex
The current (interim) Director is Dr. Justin Camputaro.

Formal dedication
The Student Union was formally dedicated on September 23, 2022. President McCullough thanked former President Thrasher and Provost McRorie for their foresight, calling the building, "transformative", with power to unite. Peter Collins, Chairman of the FSU Board of Trustees, was satisfied that despite being $20 million over budget and two years overdue, it was worth the wait.