Talley Student Union: Open for Collaboration

If NC State is a small town, Talley Student Union is the community center. It’s the hub for quality student-life experiences, providing the activities and resources that will propel students to success. A $120 million renovation and building addition have provided more space and an improved range of services to better support the diverse and evolving needs of our student population.

For the faculty and staff of the programs and departments that comprise the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, close relationships with the student community are essential to our ability to provide support. The new space brings many of these campus partners together under one roof, allowing for increased collaboration between colleagues and greater opportunities to reach and support students. The close proximity will provide ease of access for students, making it convenient to get involved with the many clubs and extracurricular opportunities that are available on campus.

Among these is the Center for Student Leadership, Ethics and Public Service (CSLEPS). Encouraging a community of student leaders who are committed to the betterment of society, CSLEPS offers the hands-on leadership development and service experiences that help to equip students with the skills needed to lead with integrity and compassion. Director Melissa Barnes is enthusiastic about the new space and says, “I look forward to Talley Student Union being the premier destination on campus for our students to connect, build community, and interact with one another in exciting, new ways. Departments are capitalizing on the countless opportunities to collaborate with, support and advocate for our partners in the building in ways we were not able to before joining together in one space. I am confident students will see and feel the collective approach as we work together to provide dynamic programming and high level services.”

Learn more about Talley Student Union by visiting campusenterprises.ncsu.edu/talley/

The excitement for the possibilities associated with the new Talley is also shared by Eileen Coombes, the Director of Student Involvement. She looks forward to seeing students put the space to use when they arrive on campus for the fall semester. “I am thrilled for student leaders and organizations to return to campus and see their new home in the Woodward Student Involvement Center in Talley. The university has never offered a space like this where student organizations, student leaders and advisors can meet and collaborate in order to strengthen our campus community. And, I have no doubts that the meeting space, storage options and new resource room will provide an ample backdrop for students to get involved, explore their passion, and build a stronger campus community of organizations.”

Greek life is about community and for the Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life, the move to Talley means new opportunities for collaboration. Christopher Jefferson, Associate Director of Chapter Services, says, “One of the great aspects about our move to Talley is the proximity to other campus partners that work with student engagement. Having the ability to share space with CSLEPS, the GLBT Center, Multicultural Student Affairs, Student Government, Student Involvement, the Women’s Center and the Union Activities Board (UAB) will lend to a seamless one stop shop for our student leaders.”

The LEED Silver Certified Talley Student Union is currently serving students who are on campus for the summer months and stands ready to welcome those who will arrive in August. Additional amenities include two full floors of Wolfpack merchandise in the NC State Bookstore (the university’s flagship location), a much anticipated Starbucks, and a wide range of dining options including Yates Mill Bakery, Los Lobos Mexican Grill, and 1887 Bistro. The terrace of the Thomas H. Stafford, Jr. Commons is the perfect spot to enjoy the expanded green space and can be reserved by the more than 600 student organizations that will be housed in the James H. Woodward Student Involvement Center.

The new Talley Student Union will quickly become the go-to resource for students, whether they’re looking for a quiet nook for studying, a quick bite to eat, or a welcoming place to linger for hours with friends.

This article was originally printed in “CONNECTIONS: 2014-15 Year in Review” under the title “Talley Student Union: Open for Collaboration”.