Renovated Student Life Center reopens at Missouri Southern State University

JOPLIN, Mo. – Exciting news is coming to students at Missouri Southern State University as the newly renovated Dianne Mayes Student Life Center officially reopens.

Located on the lower level of the Dianne Mayes Dining Hall near the university's residence halls, the newly renovated 13,920-square-foot space offers students more opportunities to relax, study and socialize.

The updated center features a dedicated electronic gaming area, pool tables, modern study rooms and a theater. The renovation also includes upgraded lighting, new furniture, and repairs to the flooring and ceilings.

Students across campus had the opportunity to provide feedback on what they wanted to see in the new center.

Renovations began in August of last year and took more than a year to complete. The MSSU Board of Governors funded the $1.8 million project through university funding.

Dean VanGalen, president of Missouri Southern State University, said the goal was to listen to students when designing the new student life center.

"This project took over a year. The Board of Governors funded the project with $1.8 million. They wanted our students to have a modern, vibrant space to hang out, study, relax and connect. We went through a planning process and listened to the voice of the students. We let them tell us what they wanted and what would help them be successful here at MSSU. We're very pleased with the outcome," VanGalen said.

VanGalen also expressed his excitement about the center and the opportunities it will provide students, including the chance for him to play some foosball.

"I'm looking forward to the gaming tables, maybe a little foosball, but the best part will be to see students here enjoying it. It will be a nice home away from home for our students."

David Mayes, dean of students and Title IX coordinator, worked with students to help create a space where they could study, socialize and engage with others.

"Students were involved in the process, and things got added on. They did an excellent job of planning it. The priority was to have a space where students can come in at their leisure, rather than during a planned focus time, and interact. We wanted to have it open from early in the morning to late at night, where things would naturally happen, student engagement, connection with each other, and where they could come in, study, play and interact, and have a place that is clean and appealing to students," Mayes said.

Mayes said students' existing habits and activities also helped shape the center's design.

"As they were looking at it, they asked, 'What were students already doing?' That's where the ideas of the study rooms, theater, etc. came in. So students would naturally flow to things that are working for them," Mayes said.

Mayes also expressed his excitement about the new theater.

"I really like the theater. The movies are through an agreement with Swink Entertainment, and students can select movies from the gallery. Students can come in and reserve the theatre for friend groups, resident hall floors, athletic teams or themselves.This will be a very popular space. It's designed to be very functional, too."

Student and resident assistant Doran Faith helped create the idea behind the space and explained more about the function of the theater.

"The design is focused on functionality and just expanding as many options as possible for students. They're able to hook up their laptops and use their streaming services, use the integrated PC gallery of movies or even bring in their own Blu-ray discs. The options are limitless. Reserving it is also very easy. All it takes is an email, and you can be on the reservation list for you or your group to block it out," Faith said.

Faith said the theater is designed to provide students with a comfortable place to unwind.

"I just think it's a great place to unwind. It's a very relaxing room, comfortable seats, and a brand-new screen. It stays quiet in here, just a relaxing place for friend groups to hang out," Faith said.

Faith said he is most excited to see how the new center affects students living on campus.

"I'm just super excited to see how this impacts the residents. I want to see this place full from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. I want to see this place packed. I want to see it hard to actually use the resources here because of the amount of students. One thing as an RA, it does make me happy when the dorms can seem vacant, and I really like that because that means the students are getting out and engaging with the campus instead of staying more isolated. Yeah, just building connections makes me smile the most as an RA."

Faith also highlighted the addition of the Honorlock study rooms.

"My favorite part is probably the Honorlock study rooms. I know that isn't that exciting, but I really look forward to them. That's something the students had a lot of involvement in and something we really wanted. It's a plain room, stays quiet, easy to complete a room scan and get your tests done with no distractions."

Honorlock is a lockdown browser used for online tests and exams at MSSU.

Avery Eckert, a resident assistant and member of the women's golf team, was also involved in the project.

"I was asked to be a member of the committee by Madyson Fox. I have worked in the student center for two and a half years now, and I have been very involved with the students who come in and come out."

Eckert said one of her favorite aspects of the new center is the sense of community it provides.

"My favorite part — I love the community that it brings. It allows for all the residents to come together for events and to meet up with each other in a safe place."

Eckert also said she is excited about the new e-sports room.

"I am very excited for the e-sports room. We have two Xboxes, a PlayStation and a Nintendo. It's available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m."

Now that the renovation is complete, students have access to a space designed around their needs and interests. From study rooms and gaming areas to the new theater, the Student Life Center gives MSSU students more opportunities to spend time on campus, connect with one another and make the most of campus life.