Campus & Community

Schine On: Campus Community Invited to Schine Student Center Renovation Reveal

Thursday, April 4, 2019, By Shannon Andre

students walking along Einhorn Family Walk in front of Schine student Center

The campus community is invited to the renovation reveal and celebration of the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center on Tuesday, April 9. The event also celebrates the legacy and philanthropy of Renée Schine Crown ’50, H’84 and Lester Crown. In the 1980s, Renée led the initiative to establish the student center and provided the primary gift, honoring her parents Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine for whom the building is named. The Crowns have been an active part of reimagining the Schine Student Center now to further enhance the student experience well into the future.

“Renée and Lester are among the most selfless and generous supporters of Syracuse University, and we are grateful for the many ways their support has benefited the Orange community,” says Matt Ter Molen, senior vice president and chief advancement officer. “It’s impossible to travel our campus and not feel the enormous impact their philanthropic support has had on our community, and most especially on our students. We look forward to welcoming them to campus next week to commemorate the start of a project that will transform the student experience for future generations of Syracuse University students.”

As the hub of student life, the Schine Student Center will be transformed to fulfill its original mission as the “living room” of campus—a place for students to eat, gather, study and lounge. The renovation is scheduled to commence in May shortly following the conclusion of the spring semester.

During the reveal, the Crowns will unveil the latest renderings for the planned renovation. The ceremony will include remarks from Chancellor Kent Syverud, Senior Vice President for Enrollment and the Student Experience Dolan Evanovich and Student Association President Ghufran Salih ’20. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. in the atrium of Schine Student Center. Light refreshments will also be served. Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided. For additional accommodation requests, please contact Candace Hayden at specialevents@syr.edu or by calling 315.443.0244.

After gathering feedback from more than 1,600 campus community members, most of whom were students, throughout the last nearly two years, the renovation prioritizes the following:

  • Enhanced accessibility, including the installation of accessible pathways using universal design;
  • An upgraded dining experience with additional seating and varied dining options;
  • Centralized spaces for student activities, including an expanded space that co-locates the Disability Cultural Center, Office of Multicultural Affairs and LGBT Resource Center to further promote and celebrate intersectionality and inclusion;
  • Opening and expanding the central atrium, creating a lounge on the main atrium floor and greater connectivity across the building’s floors.
  • Versatile spaces and seating conducive to supporting student organization activities, studying, group meetings or lounging.

“The renovation of the Schine Student Center will return it to a true student union—a place for our students to connect and experience the vibrancy of everything the Syracuse University campus offers. Whether students are coming here to eat, study, get involved or meet with friends, the upgraded and versatile spaces will undoubtedly enhance their experience,” says Evanovich. “The Crowns have always been, and continue to be, passionate about enhancing the student experience, and this effort to transform Schine Student Center is a prime example of their unwavering commitment to our students.”