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PHOTO: The new Student Center Game Room features pool and ping-pong tables, electronic darts, bubble hockey and more.
 

By Susan Shelly

Several spaces on Alvernia’s Hill Campus recently received significant alterations, creating comfortable, accessible places where students can gather and engage with one another.

Largely initiated by the Student Government Association (SGA), those overhauls include the addition of a game room in the Student Center, the renovation of the Bernardine Hall lobby and a revamping of the Campus Commons living room.

“SGA thought it was important to update spaces across campus to reflect the ever-changing needs of the students,” said Sara Baker MSOT ’25, SGA president during the 2023-24 school year. “In our SGA meetings, the campus renovations were consistently on our agenda. The individuals involved in SGA played an essential role in providing student input to influence how these spaces were transformed.”

Student Center Game Room

The SGA in 2023 approved funding from its budget to convert a little-used conference room in the Student Center into a game room where on-campus and commuter students could gather to play pool, ping-pong, electronic darts, bubble hockey and other games.

“Everyone at Alvernia wants students to have places to hang out and enjoy each other’s company,” said Abby Swatchick, executive director of student engagement and leadership and SGA advisor. “That’s an important part of the college experience.”

Students had long expressed interest in such a space, and SGA members considered the project a priority.

“We thought the game room would be a great fit as something new and exciting,” Baker said.

Bernardine Hall lobby

A popular space for commuter students, the Bernardine Hall lobby had been dark and not as inviting for students as it could have been, Swatchick explained.

“Commuter students use that space between classes to study or just hang out with friends, and SGA members thought it needed some brightening up to make it more
appealing,” she said.

The lobby now offers private workspaces, couches, bar-height counters, and other features designed for comfort and accessibility.

Campus Commons living room

An attractive and functional gathering space was created in the Campus Commons, a busy facility that houses a two-story fitness center, an always-open computer lab and a living room on the ground floor.

Nothing had been done to update the living room since the building was constructed in 2012, and it needed a facelift.

Renovations were designed to accommodate many different activities, including football viewing parties, food events, video game tournaments and student meetings. Families of student athletes gather in the space for a meal after athletic events, Swatchick said, and international students use it for meetings and social events.

The space now features tables that can be configured to meet various needs, a counter with chairs, multiple chargers for laptops and cellphones, a huge television, an indoor-outdoor fireplace, outdoor seating areas and other amenities.

“I’ve heard positive feedback from students about each of these renovated areas,” Baker said. “Particularly with the game room, so many students have been able to enjoy themselves while staying on campus.”

While students directly benefit from the revamped spaces, university staff and leadership were supportive of the changes and regard the improvements as an asset.

“Student space is not only important to students, it’s important to everyone at Alvernia,” Swatchick said. “This campus is home to our students, and we want it to be as accessible and comfortable as possible.”