For returning students at UCBA, there was a curious excitement on the first day of school to finally see the new renovations that have been long planned, while, for new students, there was a bit of excitement after walking through the front doors of Muntz Hall into a modern designed common area, including couches, a fireplace and tall glass panels separating the hallway from the cozy study areas.
If that wasn’t enough to get us intrigued, stepping into the newly renovated library with eight spacious study rooms and more computers to access surely sealed the deal.
Heather Maloney, UCBA’s Library Director, loves the new space. “We are trying to strike a balance between students who need quiet areas to study and the newer learning model of collaborative study,” she said.
She’s also glad to be able to provide areas for collaborative learning. The renovation project started in the fall of 2012 and was finally open to the student body the beginning of fall semester 2013.
In total the project added up to a cost of $4.5 million, which also covered the renovations of the new café, common areas and the Dean’s suite. The project completed it’s final phase on September 30 with the official ribbon cutting ceremony in the new exterior courtyard, just outside the library and Bleeker Street Café.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025