Founders Student Center Construction

For the past 2-3 years, OU-Tulsa Student Affairs and OUTSA (OU-Tulsa Student Association) have been leading the effort for the OU-Tulsa campus to have a student union - a space available for students 24/7.  In May 2011 the OU-Tulsa Library moved into their beautiful new building, and turned over their old space to our students.  Construction began over the summer on student union, which has been named the "Founders Student Center" in recognition of our lead donor on the project.  Current construction estimates place our completion date in the March/April 2012 range, and we are excited to open the new space.  Founders Student Center will include the following features:

• Merkel Family Foundation Lounge - couches, study tables, & more
• Coffee Shop - made to order speciality drinks or coffee
• Game Room - pool table, ping-pong tables, TVs and video games
• Bookstore - 5-times the current space for our campus bookstore
• OU-Tulsa Student Affairs - improved student access to our office

Below is the architects most recent rendering of the space, and the layout of the different areas in the bullet list above:

The following pictures were taken just before demolition work began and again near the completion of demo.

The old view of the library stacks space.  The game room will
be located between the columnson the left and the wall
on the right.



The old view from the main double-door entrance
of the library.  The main entrance in Founders Student
Center will be open to hallway to be a welcoming space.

Looking from what was the library stacks and will be the new
bookstore space.  A glass wall will go up along the central
columns in this picture to divide the bookstore from the
game room, whilestill maintaining the open feel of the space.

View from the NW corner of what will be the Lounge space,
looking back to the east.  The boxed structure in the middle
of this space will have a electric fireplace on either side,
surrounded by couches, chairs and study tables.

View from the NW corner of what will be the Lounge space,
looking to the south.  Through the walkway to the left of the
equipment will be the game room and bookstore spaces.

View from the west side of the game room looking back to
the east/southeast into what will be the game room to the
left of the columns and the bookstore to the right, divided
by a glass wall, to carry on the openness of the space.

If you have any questions or comments about the Founders Student Union, please ask post them in the comments section below, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.  Or you can always stop by our current office in room 1C53.  We would be happy to answer any questions you may have!