We can't continue to tell students to do something else if we don't give them additional options. A model for student unions of the 21st century At St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., the need for more social options became obvious as upper-class students frequently left campus every weekend to drive 40 miles north to Minneapolis for entertainment. A committee interviewed students about what they wanted in the new building and also visited other schools to see what they had done. Nearly two years later, construction began, and in November 1999 the Buntrock Commons opened. It created more of a sense of community.
People spend a lot of time there hanging out.
It is a nice change because it does give you someplace to go instead of the library or your room. The center is open every day from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. and houses a non-alcoholic dance club, game room, arcade, dining room, coffee shop, the campus bookstore and several other meeting rooms. We find that students spend a lot of time in the building. It's just such an improvement from what we had. While DePauw is considering some big plans, it has opted to start smaller than St. Olaf.