union is open to any and everybody. “On any campus, the student union is the _ of the university, serving students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors. It provides services and conveniences that members of the college community need in their daily lives and creates an environment for getting to know and understand others through formal and informal associations” (“Student Union” [Aboc he Union Whitney Haalet stag festa te “-The student union... place to study, eat, hangout with friends, relax, and access important resources. I see myself being there a lot.” The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has a student union that strives to be an active, safe, and inclusive center of campus life (“Student Union” Mission). ‘The student union that is currently at UNC Charlotte was not the student union that operated when the university was first built. “In 1996, traditionally the Cone University Center ‘operated as the student center since opening its doors in 1962. By the time its first addition was finished in 1976, the student population was population was 8.290. Twenty years later in 1996, coroliment had doubled” (“Studs Union” History), When the university firs opened the enrollment was small but with the (Constant student population growth one can only imagine how soon the population would outgrow the Cone University Center.‘one could only imagine where the funding would come from. ‘With the help of students, campus administrators, and the state, the construct a new student union. The student union was built with the convenient access to the residence halls, the College of Health and Human Services building, and the College of Education building (student Gon’ History). With the help of the university's community the student union was able to be built and it opened in 2003. The student union ean house up to .” History). The new student union is home to many A 10,000 visitors per weekday (“Student Union’ activities on campus. ‘Many different student activities such as Center for Leadership Development, “Multicultural Resource Center, Religious and Spiritual Life, Student Niner Media, Venture, and “other student involvement groups are located in the student union (“Student Union” Student “Activities). “I see myself getting involved in the union. I want to join Student Government < | “Association (SGA) and Campus Activities Board (CAB)" (Hamlett), The Center for leadership | ‘Development helps UNC Charlotte Students with leadership skills development opportunities through individual programs, retreats, and experimental learning. The Center for Leadership Development strives to teach students lifelong leadership skills that could be used with « Z 2 ‘education, social, and business settings (Center for Leadership Development) Studies shows that students that are involved in campus activities, who do more than focus solely on their studies,that they have an activity at a certain time so they have to get all their work. ‘time, Other than student activities there are many other ways students ean benefit student union. ‘Some people may go to the student union to get away from their dorm room and others, {20 for many various reasons. Hamlett says that she will benefit from the student union because it is close to her dorm, Lynch Hall. She say's she is constantly in Starbucks and the bookstore (Hamlett). In the student union there are many different dining options such as, Crown Commons, Bistro 49, Starbucks, Wendy's and more. All of the food options in the student union takes student declining balance on their 49er card. “I like the food choice available at the union. I am adie hard Starbucks addict so I am glad there is a Starbucks in the union. They are adding a Bojangles and I eat Wendy’s at least once a week. There are a variety of things to choose from” (Harifett). With the various dining facilities in the student union the students on campus will always have something to eat. ‘The student union is such a beautiful place, and great resource on campus but everything, hhas room for improvement. Hamlett mentioned that she thinks that the student union should have more study rooms. Ifa student wants to study they would have to go to the library or other Jocations on campus. However, she mentions that her favorite place in the student union is the ‘room with the grand piano on the main floor. The student union is a great place for all students to“Student Union Dining & Retail.” Dining & Retail. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Jul \PStudent Union History.” History. N.p,, n.d. Web. 15 July 2015. <7 Student Union Student Activities.” Student Activities, Np. n.d. Web. 15 July 2015. «Student Union Mission.” Student Union Mission & Values Statement. N.p.. n.d. Web. 15 July 2015. Why You Should Encourage Your College Student to Get Involved on Campus”. College Parent Central RSS..N.p., 08 Nov. 2009. Web. 16 July 2015.