University of Nevada–Las Vegas
UNLV Student Union
University of Nevada–Las Vegas
Four-year, public, urban, commuter
Full-time enrollment: 28,000
Location: Las Vegas, Nev.
UNLV Student Union
Director: Kelsey Harmon Finn
Size: 138,000 sq. ft.
Floors: 3
Year built: 2007
Annual budget: $2.6 million (Student Union & Event Services); $2 million (Campus Life Programming)
Student staff: 85 (part-time)
Nonstudent staff: 27 (full-time); 3 (part-time)
Website: http://studentunion.unlv.edu
History
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Student Union, first opened in 1968 under the name of the university’s second president, as
Moyer Student Union. However, in the 1990s as student enrollment in the university grew, the union was forced to do the same. The student union space grew from 77,000 square feet to 138,000 square feet. The first instinct was to simply renovate and add to the union space; however, inspectors determined that it would more efficient to built a completely new building. The project became a two-phase construction project, where half of the union was built at a time.
“As a growing university, we were no stranger to construction projects surrounding our everyday lives, but building a new union one half at a time was certain to create new experiences for all involved,” said Kelsey Harmon Finn, director. Students and staff remained working in the older union during Phase 1 and then transferred to the newer part of the union for Phase 2 of the project. The entire union was completed in 2006.
Unique features
The combination of operations within the union offices creates a unique structure for the new UNLV Student Union. The Student Union and Events Services department combines the scheduling and conference services with the facility and event operations portion of the union.
“The combination of services in one centralized department with oversight from one director affords us the ability to provide one-stop shop services to our clients,” Harmon Finn said.
The Student Union and Event Services department offers services such as event coordination services, conference housing and overnight accommodations, and reservations for all student affairs facilities.
“We seek to create seamless events and programs to enhance the university community and overall services provided to our students,” Harmon Finn said.
Students’ role
Students played a crucial role in opening the new college union. In 2003, students agreed to raise the student fee from $27 per semester to $173. The fees rose gradually starting in 2004 and reached the cap by 2007.
“The increase in fees created funding for the new Student Union and Student Recreation and Wellness Center,” Harmon Finn said.
Forty-seven percent of the union’s funds come from student fees.
But students also work within the union as part-time employees who are often given more responsibility than the average student.
“Nearly every operational component in our department is supported through numerous student staff, often assuming responsibility for managing our operations in the absence of full-time staff members,” Harmon Finn said.
Programming
Since the reopening of the UNLV Student Union in 2006, there has been an increase in student programming and events held in the facility. During the U.S. election season, the union held a “watch party” for the Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate that UNLV hosted.
Another big hit for the union is the program Rebels After Dark.
“This monthly late-night program encourages students to come back to campus for free movies, food and entertainment,” Harmon Finn said.
The union also coordinates walks for groups and organizations such as the American Heart Association, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.