Week-long schedule of activities planned to mark milestone
Raleigh, N.C. (March 17, 2014) –Talley Student Union will celebrate the completion of Phase I – the north addition – with a series of events the week of March 17 – 23. New spaces to open include the State Ballroom, Senate Chamber, One Earth World Cuisine, Wolf Xpress Print & Copy, Port City Java, several meeting rooms and copious lounge space.
The week kicks off with the Chancellor’s Spring Update at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 17th in the State Ballroom. Other events throughout the week include the Coke Happiness Machine, jazz guitar in the One Earth Lounge, a Shared Governance Reception in the Senate Chamber and a Student Organization recognition reception. A full schedule of events can be found at go.ncsu.edu/talley-events.
“We want to celebrate this milestone with our campus community by encouraging them to come explore all that this student union has to offer, even though there is much more to unveil next year,” Tim Hogan, director of NC State University Student Centers, said. “Our ballroom recently opened, and we have already hosted a number of student events, including the Red & White Ball and several cultural showcases. Students are finding our lounge spaces and using them to relax and study between classes.”
Two new dining options include One Earth World Cuisine and Port City Java. While the campus is familiar with Port City Java’s breakfast, lunch, coffee, and smoothies, One Earth is a new concept that will feature a global menu.
Randy Lait, senior director for hospitality services with the division of Campus Enterprises, is excited to unveil two new dining venues. “One Earth World Cuisine will offer a variety of interesting foods and flavors in a spectacular atmosphere. It is like nothing the campus has seen before. The new Port City Java will bring campus coffee shop favorites to the center of our new hub of campus activity. Together with the new food options in the Pavilion, which opened in October, NC State Dining is transforming campus dining at NC State.”
One Earth World Cuisine is connected to a seating and lounge space designed to host a variety of intimate events, such as live music.
“Live music adds energy to any hub of activity, and Steven Ray’s jazz guitar performance at One Earth Lounge on Wednesday is just a taste of what’s to come when ARTS NC STATE eventually moves back to Talley,” said Alex Miller, vice provost for ARTS NC STATE. “With the opening of Phase I, students can look forward to a buzz of cultural programming–everything from a New York-based Afro-Cuban jazz band to an a cappella festival featuring several Triangle universities.”
While the north end of the building is fully functional on the interior, the tower is still under construction and is expected to be completed this summer. The renovation and addition on the south side of the building along Cates Avenue will also be completed in early 2015. It will be home to NC State Bookstores, Student Involvement, CSLEPS, ART NC STATE, 1887 Bistro, Starbucks, as well as more lounge, meeting and office space.
“Talley Student Union was designed to be collaborative,” said Student Body President Alex Parker. “Students understand that this building has more to offer than just new dining options or increased event space: It is a place where we can come together. Even the name change from student center to union reflects our desire to use this new space as one student body, a united group of diverse students, collaborating and sharing high academic and social interactions.”
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