{"id":53053,"date":"2022-10-07T13:03:06","date_gmt":"2022-10-07T17:03:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=53053"},"modified":"2022-10-12T10:52:43","modified_gmt":"2022-10-12T14:52:43","slug":"common-grounds-coffeehouse-and-new-student-union-celebrates-grand-opening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2022\/common-grounds-coffeehouse-and-new-student-union-celebrates-grand-opening\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Grounds Coffeehouse and new student union celebrates grand opening"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Just in time for Homecoming and Family Weekend<\/a>, EMU\u2019s renovated Common Grounds Coffeehouse is open for business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approximately 200 EMU students, faculty and staff attended the Grand Reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday morning, queuing for free celebratory drinks while the EMU Jazz Band played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A view from the Hall of Nations into the coffeehouse and student union (left) during the reopening ceremony. (Photo by Noussaiba Garti\/Weather Vane)<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The new cafe, on the second floor of the University Commons adjacent to the Royals Den and Hall of Nations, offers a spacious and comfortable location to enjoy food and drinks, study, or meet friends. Similar to the former Common Grounds, the 3,726-square-foot-space has a stage, projector and sound system for hosting concerts, lectures or movie nights. The project, which President Susan Schultz Huxman<\/strong> called “the fastest renovation in the history of EMU,” was a $2.2 million investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

La\u2019akea Fujita<\/strong>, one of four managers of the student-run business, was excited to open the modernized coffee shop with what she described as an \u201copen and welcoming atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fellow manager Briana Garcia-Sanchez<\/strong>, who specializes in events and marketing, is looking forward to \u201csetting a new Common Grounds vibe and aesthetic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Renovations in University Commons include the coffeehouse (left), a new decorative mural, lighting, signage, and upgrades to the President’s Reception Room. The project also included a new Admissions space on the first floor as well as a renovated area in the adjacent hallway leading to EMU Athletics.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The new space has a \u201cmore modern look and feel, and there\u2019s going to be a lot more people in and out of the space since it\u2019s in the center of the UC and attached to a student union space,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new space occupies the area that was formerly the bookstore. Adjacent areas of the second floor were also renovated and new artwork \u2013 a mural designed by EMU creative director Jon Styer<\/strong> and his team \u2013 decorates the exterior wall of the track, which faces the coffee shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cheryl Montgomery<\/strong>, director of EMU\u2019s Auxiliary Services, said planners began to think about reimagining the space before the university\u2019s contract with Follet Higher Education ended in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project grew to include reconsideration of the game room and Common Grounds downstairs, and the President\u2019s Reception Room upstairs. Planners also began to consider if the Admissions office \u2013 tucked away into a back corner of the Campus Center \u2013 could be relocated more centrally in the University Commons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Common Grounds baristas prepare free drinks during the celebration. <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Renovations to the University Commons began in January 2022. Admissions staff moved into their new space on the first floor over the summer, and work on Common Grounds continued apace to be completed before Homecoming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phil Martin<\/strong>, construction manager and facility planner, led the project. He collaborated with SGA, Admissions, Common Grounds staff and other constituents, and worked architects Welby Lehman and Kristin LaPorta of Blueline, who assisted EMU in developing the vision of the space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A whole host of other construction partners, including Harman Construction, Trumbo Electric, and Mast and Brunk, were involved in the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The old Common Grounds space is still available and can be reserved for events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Just in time for Homecoming and Family Weekend, EMU\u2019s renovated Common Grounds Coffeehouse is open for business. 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