While most students were away for the summer, a makeover was underway inside a historic building that serves as the hub of the Indiana University Bloomington campus.
The Indiana Memorial Union boasts both new additions and updates to previously existing features just in time for the start of the fall semester.
“The idea behind this update was to honor the spaces already there,” said Michael Campbell, associate director of the IMU.”We weren’t trying to change the flavor of those spaces, just enhance them. We were really careful to fit the feel of the traditional and historic building.
“We want to be the place where everyone wants to come and hang out,” he said.
Read on to learn about the changes you’ll notice in the IMU:
Photos by James Brosher, IU Communications
Sweet treat
The Chocolate Moose is the IMU’s newest tenant, making the local favorite accessible for students, staff and faculty while they are on campus. On the same floor as the food court, the location will feature soft-serve ice cream, homemade ice cream, frozen yogurt and vegan options. Cookies from Sugar and Spice will be offered as a stir-in option for the Blizz, which is the ice cream shop’s version of a Blizzard, and will also be used for their ice cream sandwiches.
Pints of Chocolate Moose ice cream can be purchased, as well. A small, grab-and-go area is stocked with salads, yogurt, water and soda.
Stylish furnishings
Three lounges inside the building got furniture upgrades to be more accommodating for students and other visitors. Furniture in both the South and the East lounges feature tables custom-made for the space by local woodworkers in Ellettsville, Indiana, and chairs purchased from a company based in Jasper, Indiana. The tables, which feature power outlets, and chairs are both made of wood from the forests of Indiana.
The custom-made table underneath the bay window in the South lounge is carved with an IU trident and is meant to be a community table. Two new charging stations are also available in the East lounge.
The Tree Suite lounge was also updated and now features more spaces to sit, study and relax.
Coffee overhaul
While the Starbucks will likely be just as packed as usual, it got a new look. Plenty of four-person tables and chairs are still available, with the addition of new armchairs, a charging station and new art.
Across from the counter is a long table perfect for group collaboration, complete with new overhead lighting and charging plugs. The counter and the wall behind it also got an upgrade.
