energy-efficient doors and windows , and walls made of glass to rely more on Florida ’ s natural sunshine instead of artificial light . Over 90 percent of the original building materials were reused during construction , including floors , walls , roofing , and even bowling lanes . Of the new material used in the construction , more than 30 percent contained recycled content . Additionally , more than 75 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfills . Since opening , the Reitz Union has won an EBie Award from the Urban Green Council for sustainability , specifically focused on energy savings .
Upon completion , the Reitz Union also welcomed three new departments to the facility : the Brown Center for Leadership and Service ( BCLS ), GatorWell Health Promotion Services , and Multicultural & Diversity Affairs ( MCDA ). Those areas have joined the Career Resource Center , Student Legal Services , Student Activities and Involvement , Student Government , Reitz Union , UF Bookstore , and Dining Service to make the Reitz Union the center for student involvement on campus .
" There ' s always a need for a place for students to gather , collaborate or just express themselves , and we do that really well ."
-Mike Mironack , Reitz Union Director of Operations
“ It ’ s in a really good part of campus ,” Alex Gibbs , a 22-year-old Biology major and the Outreach and Education Chair for Florida Alternative Breaks said . “ So people who don ’ t know about BCLS in general can walk up here and ask questions . It ’ s more accessible to everyone for sure .”
Across the hall from the BCLS on Level 2 , the Multicultural & Diversity Affairs Suite is home to Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs ( APIA ), Black Affairs , Hispanic-Latino Affairs , and Lesbian , Gay , Bisexual , Transgender , and Queer Affairs ( LGBTQ +). Andrew Lim , an ambassador for the LGBTQ + office , loves the new location , “[ the space ] allows us to have more open programs central to campus , now you can always say ‘ it ' s up in the Rainbow Suite .’ It ’ s
In addition to more rooms for student organizations , a Senate Chamber was also constructed for Student Government .
our own space that students can make pretty much whatever they want of it . People who are visiting and touring campus , when they are exploring the Reitz Union , they see this and see there ' s a central LGBTQ + space within their student center .”
With all of the services and organizations centrally located , the Reitz Union serves as one of the top student resources on campus . And with more meeting rooms and office spaces , the more than 1,000 student organizations that have registered with Student Activities and Involvement have room to grow as well . During the planning process , designers adjusted the sizes of the meeting spaces to fit the needs of growing student organization population .
Additionally , features of the project include an abundance of power outlets on the Social Stairs , a staircase connecting the Level 1 and the Ground Level , designed specifically to give students a place to sit , study or recharge with friends at any time of day . Gender Neutral restrooms are now available on Levels Ground through 3 . A brand new Reflection Room on Level 3 was added to provide a calm and spiritual place for meditation , prayer and introspection outfitted with two ablution rooms .
Laura Guzman , who works within the BCLS as an AmeriCorps VISTA ( Volunteers in Service to America ) employee , said “ The new building is cool and seeing it full of students is exciting . It ’ s a very visible , tangible product of the changes the campus is going through , so it ’ s nice to see how we ’ re trying to adjust to better serve a growing student population to connect them more to the resources that really help and enhance student life and student retention . That allows students to create a sense of community in their new home .”
“ If you ’ re interested in plugging into the university or getting involved , you ’ re pretty much going to find it here ,” Mironack said . “ There ’ s always a need for a place for students to gather , collaborate , or just express themselves , and we do that really well .”
WHAT ' S NEW AT UF ?
The Social Stairs were designed to specificially give students a place to sit , study or recharge with friends .
HRE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | UF STUDENT AFFAIRS
23