An Official Employee Publication From the Office of University Relations

By Emily Forsyth

The third phase of a renovation plan to transform the Kansas Union into a friendlier, more useful space for students, faculty and staff is proceeding to the construction stage, with contractors bidding on the job slated to start later this summer.

However, even before that project begins, several changes to the union are expected to be complete by fall.

David Johnston, marketing coordinator for the KU Memorial Unions, said the current changes would improve the ambiance and service offerings of the union. The improvements also will allow the union to provide services during extended hours.

“The union has never been a 24-hour building,” Johnston said. “But students operate 24 hours these days.”

Services available around the clock will include a convenience store and a computer lab, both located on the 4th floor. The new computer lab will have 50 machines and will be staffed by personnel from Academic Computing Services.

After regular business hours, entrance to the union will be limited to the new Hawk Shop convenience store, which will serve as a gateway to the rest of the building.

Johnston said people who want to enter the union after regular business hours may have to show identification to prove they are a faculty or staff member or student. He said it would be similar to the procedure at Robinson Gymnasium.

“It’s a way to have some accountability for who’s in the building,” Johnston said.

On the third floor, many changes are underway for expanding the selection of food services. Union Square, which has closed for the summer, will reopen as the Market.

“It will be more of a food court like you would see in a mall,” Johnston said.

The expanded selection will include food from Burger King, Pizza Hut, Einstein Bros. Bagels, a Mexican and Asian section, the Carvery, Summit Subs, and a salad bar. Jitter Mugs coffee shop will serve pastries, yogurt smoothies and Starbucks coffee. There will be a window with access to the hallway so customers can order coffee after the food court closes.

“It will be much brighter and more open,” Johnston said. “Union Square was so dark and uninviting that we really wanted to liven it up, both in terms of décor and by adding new menu options.”

An illustration of the current and upcoming construction projects is displayed on the fourth floor of the union.