First built in 1954, the Memorial Union has been a hub for student and club activities at the University of Rhode Island campus. While there have been some small additions and renovations in 1964 and 1992, the Union’s structure has largely stayed the same. But, URI officials are working on a plan involving student input to lay the framework for potential Union renovations.
About four years ago, the university started looking at possible renovations for the Union, including a complete $200 million re-build. However, a complete re-build is not feasible for the Union, as it has no state funding in its budget, and is fully funded on student fees and revenues generated through other activities, according to Maureen McDermott, interim director of the Union.
“It kind of died off that process and fizzled out,” McDermott said. “Our new Vice President Dr. Kathy Collins understands that the building is great, but it’s about 30,000 plus square feet shy of what it should be for a campus our size.”
McDermott commented on the busyness of the Union and how hard it can be for some student organizations to get space allocated to them. She added that it is also lacking some meeting spaces but they do the best they can with what they have. McDermott said that Dr. Collins is very much about seeing if there is something that can be done for the building that could possibly include something for the Rams Den and the bookstore.
This upcoming spring, the Union staff is looking to get another feasibility study done to see what needs to be completed and what students and staff want. In previous studies, they heard that students wanted more lounge space, more food options and more recreation space. Past studies have also indicated students would like to see the WRIU radio station in a more open and visible area, but McDermott is not sure what this upcoming study could show.
While they are waiting for that study, the Union is undergoing small changes that can be done internally, including the new furniture in the lounge and after a yearlong study, turning the old computer lab into an open space for performance groups, clubs and meetings.
“Those [are the] kind of things that we can do internally without a lot of money,” McDermott said. “[We are] trying to figure out how we can move the building along and make it feel a little more up today and a little more branded as we wait or the feasibility study process to happen.”
McDermott talked about the possibilities for the first and second floors of the Union. She would love to see the first floor become more vibrant and open from the bookstore down to Union square and maybe even an addition of more pool tables or recreational things.
“Union square is an area that needs some love and attention in terms of floor and furniture,” she said. She said she does not a complete knockdown of the Union but more internal renovations and some sprucing up of different areas, including the back entrance and does not believe that the parking lot would be lost as it is vital to victors and the movement of daily things.
As for the clock tower, McDermott believes that they cannot get rid of it as it makes the Union stand out and easier to find. But, without the study, she cannot say what the architects may come up with for the iconic Union marker.
McDermott is excited for the updates. She realizes that the Union does need some fresh additions.
“I’m hoping for some very different looks and feels,” she said. “It’s not something we will immediately do but it gives us a plan to then move forward and figure out how to accomplish it. It will be an exciting piece of moving the building forward after about 25 years. It’s time.”