VCU news

By Malorie Burkett

RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia Commonwealth University's Student Commons, the heart of VCU's Academic Campus, serving as the home to student organizations and the student center for life outside of the classroom, will celebrate 20 years of service to the VCU community.

A member of the Association of College Unions International (ACUI), the Commons has offered diverse education, social, cultural and recreational programs for the entire VCU community allowing students, faculty and staff to make use of personal time as an integral part of the college experience. In addition, University Student Commons officials say the facilities and programs have served as a gateway for the university to the community beyond campus boundaries.

The University Student Commons first opened its doors Jan. 17, 1984, and on the same day in 1993, the Commons celebrated another opening with the addition of Phase 2. VCU once again will celebrate another opening at the Commons on April 15 with the addition of Phase 3 - a 39,000 square-foot addition that will feature a new ballroom, and 16,000 square feet of renovated space, including the Commons Theater, Commons Caf and Park Place Food Court.

In addition to Phase 3 of the Commons, VCU's other on-going construction projects scheduled to open this year include West Cary Street Deck - a new parking garage that will provide more than 700 parking spaces and daily cash parking to commuter students and faculty/staff subscribers, and Shafer Court Dining Center - a new state-of-the-art dining facility made up of 57,000 square-feet of retail and residential dining at the center of the Academic Campus.

The 20th Anniversary ceremony will take place Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. in the main lobby of the Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Speakers will include Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., VCU president, Roderick J. McDavis, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs and Henry G. Rhone, Ph.D., vice provost for student affairs.