Revitalizing the Strand Union

 

The Associated Students of Montana State University are proposing the first significant renovation to the SUB in years. The goal is to revitalize the Strand Union and create a more welcoming hub of campus activity for all MSU students.

 

 

Why renovate the SUB

Renovating the SUB will bring the heavily used building up-to-speed with the needs of our campus. Renovations will address important maintenance and repairs, expand students' access to critical services, and provide students with spaces for meaningful engagement.

 

In renovating the SUB, we are seeking to balance a number of priorities.

 
  • Build student engagement
  • Add daylight and new views, bringing the outdoors in
  • Create more welcoming and accessible entrances
  • Create a more efficient and sustainable building
  • Offer additional dining options
  • Add student study and meeting spaces
  • Transform the SUB Rec Center into the Bobcat Den
 

A spacious, high-ceilinged university student center with large windows allowing natural light to fill the space. Students are seated at communal tables, high-top counters, and small group tables, engaging in studying, eating, and socializing. The wooden ceiling, concrete columns, and glass-paneled balconies give the space a contemporary design, and a food court is visible in the background.

© Astula/Raul J. Garcia, 2019

 

A modern, open-concept office space with large windows offering a view of a waterfront landscape. The room has various seating options, including sofas, armchairs with yellow cushions, and private booth seating with blue upholstery. A moss-covered wall adds a natural touch, while several people are seen working on laptops or conversing at tables.

Kendall McCaugherty © Hall+Merrick Photographers

 

A cozy study space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a lush, green outdoor area. Students are working at round tables with green and black chairs, while one student writes on a large whiteboard wall. Pendant lights hang from a wooden-slatted ceiling, and the carpet has green and gray patterns that complement the natural surroundings.

The University of Washington Life Sciences Building. Seattle, Washington. Perkins & Will. © Copyright 2023 Benjamin Benschneider. All Rights Reserved

 

Listening to student feedback

 

ASMSU gathered information from students throughout 2024 on what they would like to see in the SUB of the future. Those opportunities included:

  • 30 small-group listening sessions
  • 8 open-door tabling sessions
  • Social media posts on Instagram
  • Hundreds of suggestions gathered on post-it boards
  • Building walkthroughs
 

A digital image of a brainstorming board features various colored sticky notes with handwritten feedback, organized into categories. Magenta callout boxes highlight key themes such as "More 'student centric' study & meeting spaces," "More space for interacting with Student Organizations and Services," "Cohesive," "More food options," "Cozy Warm Color," and "Natural Light." The sticky notes contain a mix of ideas, including requests for more food options like vegan and fast food, additional study spaces, better seating, improved lighting, and warmer color schemes. The notes are color-coded, likely representing different categories of feedback.

 

What improvements will be made?

  • Accomplish a significant amount of the deferred maintenance needs of the building
  • Install new HVAC, plumbing, electrical and structural upgrades
  • Improve entrances to be more welcoming and accessible
  • Add student engagement, study and meeting spaces
  • Renovate the recreation center
  • Add new windows to bring daylight to more of the interior
  • Offer additional dining and support spaces for campus events
  • Consolidate offices into one area and open up the basement for new student engagement spaces

Statistics

  • Typically, Montana State University has experienced up to 30% energy cost savings after major renovations to building systems.
  • Installing low-flow fixtures and improved plumbing systems will likely cut water use by 10% to 25% overall.
  • Renewed building infrastructure will mean improved reliability and reduced outages.

 

 

Transformed spaces

Current SUB Rec Center

A student recreation center featuring a check-in counter with "Welcome to The Rec" signage. The space has pool tables, arcade games, and a seating area with tables and chairs. Decorations include Homecoming-themed banners and blue and gold accents.

Transformed Rec Center

A digital rendering of a modern recreation center with pool tables, a bar, and seating areas. The design features wood accents, a contemporary ceiling, and Montana State University-themed pool table lights. Transparent silhouettes of people are depicted throughout the space, emphasizing a lively atmosphere.

 

 

Current dining space

A dining area with yellow walls, patterned carpet, and wooden furniture. Chairs are branded with an "M" logo, and seating options include tables with individual chairs and a cushioned bench along the wall. The ceiling consists of drop tiles with fluorescent lighting.

Transformed dining space

A digital rendering of a reimagined dining space with floor-to-ceiling windows, wooden ceiling beams, and modern furniture. Seating includes tables with chairs and cushioned booths, while a mural of a mountain range with an "M" logo is displayed on the back wall. Transparent silhouettes of people add vibrancy to the scene.

 

 

Current SUB corridor

A hallway in the student union building with beige walls and blue carpet. A framed collage of student photos is mounted on the left wall, and an open storage room is visible with equipment inside. A blue accessibility sign marks a men’s restroom nearby.

Transformed corridor

A digital rendering of a redesigned student union hallway with natural light from large windows. The space includes comfortable lounge seating, round tables, and potted plants. Transparent silhouettes of people illustrate an inviting and social atmosphere.

 

Renderings provided by 45 Architecture & Interiors and Perkins & Will

 

 

"The Strand Union is the hub of college life, committed to educating the whole person by offering social, cultural and recreational programs as well as services and employment. The Strand Union is more than a building; it is a spirit, a spirit of welcome, a spirit of enthusiasm, a spirit of support, and most of all, a spirit of community and family on campus."

 

— From "Strand Union: Celebrating 50 Years" by Shaun Bullis-Roy

 

 

 

What will it cost?

ASMSU is asking students to vote to approve a new fee to fund the renovation work. The fee would be charged to students each semester.

 

 

 
 

Total Project Cost

$56 million

 

Projected New Student Fee

$150 per semester

 

 

 

Project Timeline

April 15-16, 2025

Student Body Vote

Elections will be held online at www.montana.edu/vote.

 

Start: Summer 2025

Design

Design will take place over the course of a year beginning late this summer.

Start: 2026/2027

Construction

Construction will begin upon the completion of design work

 

 

 

About the Strand Union

The Strand Union Building opened in the fall of 1940 and was known as just the Student Union Building. Construction costs were covered entirely by the students themselves. It was renamed in 1978 for Augustus Strand, who was MSU's president from 1937 to 1942.

 

A black-and-white historical photograph captures a scene on a college campus during daytime. The image features large brick buildings with pitched roofs and rows of windows, likely mid-20th century academic or administrative structures. A group of people, dressed in mid-century attire, walk along the sidewalks and cross the street, engaging in daily campus activities. Classic automobiles from the era, including a prominent vintage car in the foreground, are parked along the road. The background showcases a partly cloudy sky, adding depth to the scene.