VIDEO: Mitchell College Opens New Student Campus Center

Almost immediately after the ribbon was cut on a new campus center at , students were making use of the pool table, food services, and other attractions.

Work to create the center, which is located in the former site of the Mitchell College Bookstore and Red Barn Cafe, began in January. The bookstore has been moved to the Yarnall Center while the cafe has been renovated to allow late night dining operated by Sodexo Dining Services, which contracts with Mitchell to provide food services. The renovations also added office and meeting space for student organizations as well as recreational space.

“I am so happy to see this project come to fruition, and I am especially happy to know our students played such an important role in planning for this new campus center,” said Mitchell president Mary Ellen Jukoski.

Student Government Association president Rohan Brown said over 40 students participated in planning the center.

“Of course I have a couple of months more to actually see the space, because I’m graduating in May, but I hope every student here will use the space for many, many years to come,” said Rohan.

Jason R. Ebbeling, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, said the services at the building were based on student concerns. These included the suggestion that students need a place to get food and relax in the later hours.

“This building was truly created because we’ve listened to the voices of students.”

Sodexo contributed $75,000 in equipment for the kitchen space. The kitchen will offer food until midnight, and students may use their meal cards to purchase food there.

“The good thing for the students is it’s located right outside the four major residence halls on campus, and it’s connected directly with the student lounge,” said Jeff Labrie, Mitchell’s general manager of dining services.

The recreational space includes wireless Internet, flat screen TVs, video games, and pool, Ping Pong, and air hockey tables. The building is also the new home to the office for the Office of Student Activities and is wired for sound to feature a live broadcast of Radio Mitchell.

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