University of Memphis students have a new place to gather as the Student Government Association launched the grand opening of a brand-new student lounge in the UC Tech Hub on Thursday at 2 p.m.
The new student lounge, which opened to all students, was in response to students' expressed desire for a space to socialize. With over 75 students in attendance, the SGA provided Tigers with refreshments and UofM memorabilia as they opened the doors to the newly designed lounge.
With the semester coming to an end, students look forward to having a new space on campus to unwind between classes.
Sophomore Kelcie Branham has a strenuous semester schedule and believes that the newly opened lounge can be a place to relax during her free time.
“I love the design of this lounge. All semester, I’ve wanted a place to just chill when I don’t have class instead of going home,” Branham said.
“Next semester my schedule is going to be hectic, so I’m glad the university gave us students a space to decompress and socialize when we’re not in class,” she said.
Branham, 20, is a marketing major at the University of Memphis and believes the student lounge will help her and other students save on transportation costs.
“Usually after class, I don’t have anywhere to go, so I just drive home,” Branham said. “I live 25 minutes from campus, so I spend a lot of money on gas during the week. This lounge is really convenient, and next semester it looks like I’ll be able to keep more money in my pocket.”
While some students will use the new lounge to rest, others will use the space to make new friends on campus. Freshman Manny Wheeler believes this new lounge will help him build lifelong friendships.
“I’m from Waverly, Tennessee, so I don’t have any friends out here,” Wheeler said. “I think this lounge can help me find people to hang with on campus and can make being away from home a lot easier.” Wheeler said.
Wheeler, 19, is an exercise science major at the University of Memphis and wants to use the lounge to meet friends who share similar interests.
“I like to watch anime and play video games, so my hopes are to find people here who like to do the same.”
With the student lounge grand opening, students now have a space on campus to connect for years to come.
