It’s official: Old Union is new again.

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Shams Shaikh

OLD GOES NEW: Fresh cut grass and just-laid tiles decorate the outside of a newly renovated Old Union. The building’s construction came to a close last week, and student groups, including the ASSU, have moved into their new home. Old Union will hold a grand opening in the fall.

The construction portion of the project was completed last week, and the student groups and offices housed there have already moved into their new digs. The building needs some final touches — such as signage and window treatments — but is set for a fall quarter grand opening.

All of Old Union, including the eatery, will be ready for a grand opening during the week of Sept. 25, according to Director of Tresidder Meeting Services Jeanette Smith-Laws.

Smith-Laws said that the ASSU, Stanford Student Enterprises (SSE), the Asian-American Activities Center, the Native American Center, the Center for Religious Life, the Office of Student Activities, El Centro Chicano and The Chaparral have all relocated to the new building.

Old Union will also house a new campus eatery, open late on weekends, in which students will be able to use dining points. The as-yet unnamed eatery will be open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 1 a.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 1 a.m. Its theme and name will be finalized at a meeting next week.

ASSU President Hershey Avula ‘08 said that he expected the Old Union eatery to be an important new space on campus next year.

“The new eatery will be an amazing place for students to come relax, enjoy a meal and meet with their peers,” he said.

The recently vacated spaces in Tresidder Union which used to house the ASSU and other student spaces are also being reexamined.

“We are taking this opportunity to evaluate how Tresidder can become a better space,” said Smith-Laws. “Tresidder will balance retail and administrative space as well as meeting rooms.”

ASSU Vice-President Mondaire Jones ‘09 said he “loves” the new ASSU office — though it is physically smaller than old Tresidder office, Jones championed visibility over square footage.

“Our main desire for the new office,” Jones said, “was that students would be able to see it and feel free to drop in to chat about anything they wanted.”

Avula also hoped that students would take advantage of the meeting rooms of varying size and function along with the Old Union Courtyard while studying, meeting for groups and clubs and hanging out.

But the practical advantages of the new building are not its only assets, according to Smith-Laws.

“When we were moving in the Native American Center, everyone was moved by how beautiful the center is.” Smith-Laws said. “When students get back on campus, that’s what’s going to give it energy. I think it’s going to be the real jewel of campus.”