UB reopened its doors to the Student Union (SU) Wednesday morning, marking the completion of a year-long project.
SU renovations started in Dec. 2023, with plans beginning in 2018. The building underwent two phases of construction. The first — completed at the start of the fall ‘24 semester — brought an expansion of SU’s lobby with new vestibule and addition of a third-floor stairway. The second part focused on SU’s dining area, featuring updated furniture and new flooring.
The pedestrian walkway to the Commons, across from SU, remains closed.
UB president Satish Tripathi said that the updated SU was a significant enhancement to the university.
“Naturally academics are the primary focus of UB students’ experience, yet we know how important it is for our students to have a robust student experience: gathering, socializing, getting involved in student activities, clubs and organizations,” Tripathi said at the reopening ceremony. “That is why so much hard deliberation and attention has gone into his major undertaking.”
SU student manager Raven Ullah said that the remodel is more than bricks and fresh paint, but something that would foster a stronger sense of community.
“I saw the transformation, not only in the physical space, but also in the culture of the union,” Ullah, a senior communications major, said. “More students are spending more time here than ever before; they innovate, collaborate and appreciate the commitment our university has to enhancing the student experience.”
Mylien Lai is the senior news editor and can be reached at mylien.lai@ubspectrum.com
Mylien Lai is the senior news editor at The Spectrum. Outside of getting lost in Buffalo, she enjoys practicing the piano and being a bean plant mom. She can be found at @my_my_my_myliennnn on Instagram.
