VCU news

By Malorie Burkett

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University’s Student Commons, home to student organizations and the student center for life outside of the classroom, will celebrate the grand opening of the Phase 3 expansion, April 15 -17.

Phase 3 brings to the existing Commons a 39,000 square-foot addition featuring a new ballroom and 16,000 square feet of renovated space, including the Commons Theater, Commons Café and Park Place Food Court.

“More people than ever seem to be using the Commons even with only part of it open,” said Dr. Timothy Reed, director of University Student Commons and Activities.  “The vision of the expansion was to provide space for more meetings and events that bring the entire university community into one location.”

Grand opening events begin Thursday, April 15 at 11:30 a.m. with a “key” ceremony in the Commons Plaza. University dignitaries including VCU President Dr. Eugene P. Trani, Dr. Roderick McDavis, provost and vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Henry Rhone, vice provost for student affairs, and members of the Richmond community will be on hand to lead the grand opening celebration. The day also will include building tours, open houses and other activities.

Festivities will continue Friday, April 16 with Future Friday, a futuristic-themed event for students that will feature activities such as the Matrix Trilogy, Laser-Tag, M-4 simulator, psychic fair, and hip-hop, techno and top 40 dance parties. Two other events will take place Saturday, April 17. The Made in Virginia Festival will showcase Virginia-made products and the arts and crafts made by VCU artists.  The Grand Opening Gala is a semi-formal event featuring a silent auction, wine tasting, a menu of Virginia culinary specialties and entertainment in two different ballrooms.

With the exception of Saturday’s Grand Opening Gala, wine tasting and silent auction, grand opening events are free and open to the public. Tickets for the gala are $20 for students under 21, $25 for students age 21 and up, $30 for VCU faculty/staff and VCU Alumni Association members and $40 for all others. To purchase tickets, visit http://tickets.richmond.com.

The Commons Phase 3 expansion includes a newly renovated Park Place Food Court, featuring selections from Chik-Fil-A, Montague's Deli, Border Cantina, AFC Sushi, Nao & Zen, and Java City; a renovated Commons Café, including Subway and Bène Pizzeria, Online@VCU, and a convenience store, whose new name selected from a winning contest entry, will be announced during grand opening.

The new Commons entrance will be a concourse, designed to accommodate the flow of walking traffic, while offering easy access to a larger, more centralized Information Center and services. The first floor will feature main lobby lounge areas and additional seating surrounding the Park Place Food Court and Commons Café, creating an enhanced crossroads for the university.

Directly off of the Linden Street and Commons Plaza entrances, a grand staircase with high glass windows will lead to the second floor, which will house the Richmond Salons, a 4,000 square feet multi-use ballroom equipped with kitchen areas for catering services and the James River Terrace, a lounge and reception space that overlooks the main lobby.

The renovation of the second floor allows for a new loop traffic pattern, connecting all ballrooms and the renovated Commons Theater – featuring stadium-style seating – that can accommodate approximately 220 patrons. University Student Commons officials say the new design is an ideal setup for conferences and larger events. Other new highlights will include an outdoor stage in the Commons Plaza, perfect for guest speakers, live performances and other outside activities.

A member of the Association of College Unions International (ACUI), 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. Since its opening, 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.

“The Commons is a community center with many different activities occurring for different populations at all times,” said Reed. “This confluence of cultures throughout each day does not occur in buildings that are directed at one purpose such as an academic building or sports facility.  We can be all those things and more.  A student center, our Student Commons, is the community center for the campus and all the community is welcome.”

For more information on the VCU Student Commons Phase 3 grand opening, visit http://www.pubinfo.vcu.edu/commons/phase3/go/.