New University Crossing Building Unites Campus, Community
09/11/2014
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu and Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
* Media Advisory *
Tuesday, Sept. 16
2:30 to 4 p.m.
What: More than 200 people – UMass Lowell students, faculty and staff, along with University of Massachusetts, state and local leaders – will celebrate the official opening of the new $95 million student-engagement center at University Crossing.
Centrally located between UMass Lowell’s North, South and East campuses and within walking distance to the city’s downtown business district and cultural attractions, University Crossing will be a hub of activity for the campus and the community. Its innovative design includes cutting-edge sustainability measures and a dramatic glass front overlooking the Merrimack River.
At the state-of-the-art center, UMass Lowell has for the first time brought together all student services for a newly centralized “one-stop” approach. In addition, the center is home to a “club hub” for more than 150 student-run organizations, as well as event space for the campus and community where free programs like a new series featuring bestselling authors will be held. Located on the first floor, the River Hawk Shop, the university’s newly centralized and expanded bookstore, and the Crossroads Cafe are also open to the public.
The new student center is the 10th new building opened since 2009 by UMass Lowell, which has aggressively grown its academic and research facilities and student housing to accommodate a 50 percent increase in enrollment over the last seven years. This fall, for the first time in university history, total enrollment tops 17,000 and the undergraduate population numbers more than 10,000.
The opening ceremony will feature speakers scheduled to include UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan, UMass President Robert Caret, UMass Building Authority Chairman Philip Johnston, state Sen. Eileen Donoghue, state Rep. Tom Golden, Lowell Mayor Rodney Elliott, UMass Student Trustee Philip Geoffroy and UMass Lowell Student Government Association President Amanda Robinson.
Where: University Crossing lobby, 220 Pawtucket St., Lowell. Please contact UMass Lowell media relations for directions and to reserve parking.