Student Life reopened its doors on April 15 at Wolfson Campus after undergoing a yearlong $1.9 million makeover.
The project began in April of 2024 to convert the complex into a larger space for students to socialize, engage in recreational activities and meet with clubs and organizations. The original complex served students for 27 years.
Changes include the removal of several walls to expand the center from 1,000 sq. ft. to 5,000 sq. ft., new lighting and a refurbished window front.
“The renovated Student Life office is more open and provides more space for students to study, work on homework, and collaborate with each other,” said Student Life Director Pamela Alvarado.
It has a game room with a foosball table, open study spaces, two conference rooms, a private meeting room, four offices and new technology, including three TVs and a ring light setup for social media clips.
“We do a lot of Mario Kart and Super Smash Brothers tournaments, pizza parties, and so this is a cool place that we could use when we do bigger events, so everyone can get involved,” said Jadelyn Puig, who serves as the marketing coordinator for the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex at MDC.
The makeover was expected to be completed by the end of 2024, but delays in supply availability pushed the project back to this past April, according to Laura Rodríguez, senior director of campus administration at Wolfson.
Student Life is located on the first floor of the 2000 building in Room 2101 next to Gordo’s Cafe.
“Having food right around the corner and a foosball table adds a touch of fun and helps build the spirit of our Wolfson student community,” said Sofiya Korol, who was officially inducted as Student Government Association president on Monday.
During the renovation, Student Life temporarily relocated to the 4000 building in Room 4101. Student-led organizations met in different places, ranging from the fifth floor of the Idea Center in the 8000 building to various classrooms across campus.
The new complex houses student-led organizations including Phi Theta Kappa and SGA, who share a dedicated meeting area.
Despite the accommodations, SGA treasurer Justine Cotiere thinks the space lacks privacy.
“We’re sharing a room with PTK, which we did before… however, in building four, we had a livable space that was not clustered,” Cotiere said. “The new Student Life, where we have the space with PTK, we can only afford to have two chairs, so two chairs on each desk is very packed … everything feels so clustered. As much as I love this space — it looks aesthetic, it looks really nice — being in there feels like you have no privacy.”
Student Life is open Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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