Union provides meeting spot to RSOs, students

By: Bailey McBride

Posted: 9/8/08

The Arkansas Student Union offers a variety of services to on-campus and commuter students at little to no cost.

The Union, which boast on its literature that is has "something for everyone," has a wide range of retail and student assistance services, in addition to many student offices. Monday through Thursday, the East end of the Union is open 24 hours. The Union is open until midnight during weekends.

"The Arkansas Union seeks to support unique and diverse programs, provide professional services, and satisfy the ever-changing needs of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests," according to its mission statement.

Each floor of the Union offers different services to students. The first floor, A1, has a United States Post Office and the Center for Educational Access. This center helps students with disabilities and coordinates student note takers for those who need them.

The second floor has most of the retail services for students, including the Razorback and Computer Shops, ATMs and the U of A Bookstore.

The third floor of the Union is the one most students are probably familiar with, as it houses Club Red, RZ's Coffee Shop, the Student Technology Center and the 24-hour Computer Lab.

"Club Red is good for stocking up for late nights in architecture-Dr. Peppers, snacks and stuff like that," said sophomore Black Buckner, who buys his architecture supplies at the Union, as well.

"Every night I grab some late night and I often study in the Multi-Cultural Center because it's a great, quiet place to study," said sophomore Lonnie Gibbons. "Occasionally I use the computer lab for homework."

The fourth floor contains the Union Movie Theatre, Union Theatre, and the Multicultural Center. The fifth floor, A5, is home to the Union Ballroom and many meeting and classrooms available for student and faculty use.

The top floor of the Union houses many of the offices students need for student involvement. The Career Development Center, Greek Life, Student Activities, UA Productions, First Year Experience, the Ombuds Office and the Off-Campus Connections office are all found on the sixth floor of the Union.

The Union Administrative and Reservation Services office is also found on the sixth floor.

Beyond the offices in the Union, many student services are also offered. Locker rentals for single day, the semester and the year are available on the sixth floor. Space is available for event rental or tabling for an event, and students can purchase tickets for programs at the Walton Arts Center. There is also a lost and found at the Information Desk in the main Union Mall.

Some students and Registered Student Organizations believed they would be charged to use the Student Unions facilities for their gatherings as of the beginning of the 2008 school year. According to members of facilities management for the Union, students will never be charged to meet in the Union. Students are also allowed to hang posters and signs for their events in the Union Mall so that other students will see them as they go through the Union.

"I'm sure out tuition is paying for the use of that building, so I think we should be able to use its space," Buckner said.

Fortunately for students, the space and meeting rooms in the Student Union are free to all students and student organizations. Students needing to borrow media equipment or have a technician on stand by are charged a small fee for the rental.

"It's a great place for on-campus friends to meet up in the evening," Gibbons said.

Information on reservations, services, and events in the Union are available on their Web site, at union.uark.edu.