The Memorial Union celebrated the ribbon cutting of a new main lounge and study space on the second floor of the building on Friday. The space includes comfortable seating, tables to work at and collaboration areas with TVs that students can connect to. 

Megan Moore, a marketing specialist for the Memorial Union, explained that the design and planning of the space was based on student feedback. 

“This is what the students wanted,” Moore said. “They wanted more lounge space. They wanted more spaces to study, and we’re happy to provide that.”

Moore highlighted the lounge’s popularity with students because of its opening at the beginning of August.

“Students are here,” Moore said. “They’re studying. They’re taking up their food from the food court, and they’re really, really taking advantage of what we have to offer here, which is soft, comfortable seating, really nice tables… [and] breathtaking views from the north side of our campus here.”

The space has affectionately been nicknamed the “living room of campus” because of its comfortable seating spaces, fireplace and view of campus.

“We are so happy to embody the living room of campus because that’s kind of what we’re known for,” Moore said. “This is where students come to hang, to find community and to relax.”

Nicole Niemi, a junior majoring in marketing, explained how the space was necessary because of how busy the library can be. 

“I really feel like the MU needed a space to hang out,” Niemi said. “Usually, I go to the library, but the library is always packed.”

Niemi also explained that the location of the Memorial Union makes this study space convenient for students who have classes that aren’t by the library.

“I think this is a great extra space,” Niemi said. “Depending on where classes are, it’s even closer. The library’s always packed, so I think this would be a good, popular spot.”

Chad Garland, the director of the Memorial Union, described one of the space’s most popular features: a water vapor fireplace. 

“We wanted to just have a place that has a lot of character, where students could have comfy furniture as well as work furniture, and just feel like they could do whatever they wanted to do here,” Garland said.

Cake, coffee and lemonade were served after the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the Memorial Union’s 96th anniversary.To learn more about the new lounge, visit this website.