The Montview Student Union: A Hub of Activity and History at Liberty University
The Montview Student Union stands as a central landmark on the Liberty University campus, offering a multifaceted space for students, faculty, and staff. Connected to DeMoss Hall and facing the campus lawn, its prominent front steps often serve as a gathering place for campus events. This expansive 168,000-square-foot facility is more than just a building; it's a dynamic center for student life, dining, and various essential services.
A Modern and Relaxing Atmosphere
The Montview Student Union boasts state-of-the-art architecture that provides a relaxing atmosphere for students. Liberty University aimed to create a space to truly enhance the student experience by giving them a place to not only study but also have fun. Its open design and modern aesthetics contribute to a positive environment for all who use it.
Diverse Dining Options
One of the most significant features of the Montview Student Union is its wide array of dining options. From brick oven pizza at WoodFire Pizza Co. to Mediterranean cuisine at Garbanzo, and Asian flavors at Star Ginger, the Union caters to diverse palates. Other options include The Grid, Argo Tea, and UFood, providing students and faculty with unique flavors.
However, the popularity of these new dining options sometimes leads to long lines, with wait times extending up to 30 to 40 minutes. These lines can be a deterrent for those seeking a quick meal, especially during peak hours such as after Convocation or before Campus Community on Wednesday nights.
Addressing Initial Challenges
Initially, the Montview Student Union faced some operational challenges. Glitches in the computer systems caused issues with order registration and payment processing. For example, the new dining option of a "plus swipe" for Liberty students was not correctly registering, and order numbers were being mixed up. Sodexo supervisors worked to resolve these issues to reduce wait times and improve the overall dining experience.
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Key Features and Services
Beyond dining, the Montview Student Union houses several key services and amenities:
Veterans Center: Operated by the Office of Military Affairs, the Veterans Center provides support and resources for student veterans.
Center For Multicultural Enrichment (Center4ME): This center fosters diversity and inclusion on campus.
ID & Campus Services offices: These offices offer essential administrative services for students and staff.
Alumni Ballroom: Located on the third floor, the magnificent Alumni Ballroom can seat up to 700 people. It features a special collection of paintings focused on the life of Christ, donated to Liberty in honor of the Thigpen and Day families in 2016. These paintings, created by Robert Wilson Sr., depict the life of Christ, beginning with the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus and culminating with the ascending Christ. The crucifixion is a prominent theme within the collection.
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Student Government Association (SGA): The SGA offices are located on the third floor, providing a space for student leaders to work and collaborate.
Game Room: The second floor features a game room with ping pong, pool tables, video consoles, and board games, offering students a place to relax and have fun.
The Artistic Significance of the Alumni Ballroom
The Alumni Ballroom houses a collection of paintings by Robert Wilson Sr. that depict the life of Christ. Todd Smith, director and founder of Liberty University’s permanent art gallery, has noted the profound impact these paintings have on viewers. The collection begins with a lifelike image of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus and progresses through the key events of Christ's life, ending with the ascending Christ. The crucifixion is a prominent theme in the collection, and Smith has observed viewers being deeply moved by the artwork.
Construction and Design
The Montview Student Union is part of a nearly $1 billion campus rebuilding project. Shickel enjoyed the opportunity to fabricate and install several feature stairs, support steel for a curved wood wall, stainless outdoor railing, projector support steel, egress stairs and elevator pit steel. One of the highlights of the building is the massive, curved wood wall and a stair that runs in front of the wall before jumping behind the wall to continue its ascent. Shickel installed the steel structure behind the multi-level curved wood wall. One side of the wood wall stair was straight while the side closest to the wall followed the curvature of the wall.
Ongoing Improvements
As the Montview Student Union continues to be a focal point on Liberty’s campus, efforts are ongoing to improve the student experience. Addressing issues such as long lines and computer glitches remains a priority. Some students have suggested that widening the hallway between Garbanzo’s and WoodFire Pizza Co. would help ease traffic flow during peak times.
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