Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

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After a decade of planning, reviewing and developing. Oregon State held a groundbreaking ceremony on May 23rd for the future Student Experience Center. The SEC is part of three large-scale projects that are represented in the groundbreaking: Student Experience Center, Student Experience Plaza and a The SEC will house student programs currently located in Snell Hall. Snell Hall, originally a residence hall, divides and isolates offices in a way that limits student interaction and communication. SEC will keep students in the center of campus said MU director Michael Henthorne. The design of the building will create space for student program networking and collaboration. It's really student-inspired said architect James Meyer of Opsis Architecture. Meyer said the building would have built-in sustainability features that are both efficient and eco-friendly. Construction begins on the day after commencement and is expected to finish in January 2015. Snell Hall was becoming a space that was not able to match the increasing demands of students of this and future generations said Eric Alexander, director of Student Leadership and Involvement. Before the SEC project, Henthorne said committees were looking at relocating student programs out of Snell Hall due to its current condition. But, the likelihood of that concept quickly diminished. This led to a project that would later become a sustainable home for student organizations. In 2010, the students voted via referendum to fund the Student Experience Center through student fees at a 70 percent approval rating Alexander said. It was the highest ever voter turnout in any election to date Along with the SEC proposal was the creation of the SEC Space Allocation and Policy Committee.

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Following the usual Oregon winter. Spring Break is well earned time off, and something all people on campus (faculty included), are ready for. An internship, a family vacation, or just working in town, all students make good use of the break

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Photos of the current segregated situation in the Barometer office in Snell Hall, courtesy of the Barometer -Katherine Choi, news repater from the Daily Barometer This is a stakeholder-based group made up of students, staff and co-led by the MU President, ASOSU President and Alexander. This group worked with consultants and architects to develop the concepts of the SEC and the way in which space would be allocated within the building. The MU East Wing and MU Plaza went through a similar process with development and design as multiple stakeholders gave voice to the final product. ASOSU president Amelia Harris spoke at the ceremony, expressing her anticipation of the future building. “Though Snell Hall will hold a dear place in my heart, I do look forward to visiting the new offices in the SEC, Harris said. Tm so excited to see how that goes. President Ed Ray also spoke at the ceremony. This new Student Experience Center continues the admirable and long-standing OSU tradition of OSU student, investing in the future good, Ray said. Most importantly, the Student Experience Center will be a focal point and a gathering place for all students. When the MU started construction during the Great Depression, the students understood they would never get a chance to use the building. 8ut they gave their money to create facilities for future students, just as were doing now, Ray said. To conclude the ceremony, directors and presidents alike each grabbed a shovel and wore their construction helmets to mark the beginning of another shining legacy. -Amelia Harris