VALPARAISO | Larry Mosher has a big, beautiful, beguiling building to work with, and now his task, he says, is to program it "so people want to be here and it's fun."
Slideshow: Valparaiso University's Harre Union nears completion.
Mosher, director of Valparaiso University's new Harre Union, showed off the digs Thursday, and he would seem to have every advantage in achieving his goals.
Glass, views and a sense of airy space predominate inside the 202,000-square-foot facility that is set to open in January.
Many rooms and common spaces on both levels provide panoramic views of major campus buildings from the arts center to the Chapel of the Resurrection to the new Christopher library.
Glass railings, limestone and cherry wood -- and curves -- are accents echoed throughout the building.
Anchoring the new campus center are a dining area seating 600 and an informal cafe seating 120. The main dining area features a stepped stage for performances or large-screen TV showings. Its serving area includes separate counters for grilled, fried, fresh or oven-baked offerings. The cafe leads onto an outdoor dining patio.
All current dining areas except the library coffee shop will close once the union opens, consolidating campus dining in the new space.
The union also will house:
* a recreation/game room
* the campus bookstore
* the career center
* a mail center
* offices of international students and multicultural programs, with meeting rooms and a full kitchen
* a ballroom seating up to 500 for a meal or 1,085 for other meetings; the ballroom also can be divided into three large meeting rooms
Some rooms feature windows that actually open. When opened, an electrical contact turns off heating or air conditioning that may be on. If windows are left open beyond a certain time, an alert will flash at the campus police center.
Students will have access to parts of the building, including a computer lab and student organization offices, 24 hours a day.
In addition to fun, the new campus focal point will emphasize faith and community, Mosher said.
Part of a $74 million project, the new union was named for President Emeritus Alan Harre, who retired in June.
"As a union director, this is what we dream of," Mosher said.
