Eccles Student Life Center

Eccles Student Life Center. The Eccles Student Life Center is a state-of-the-art facility located on the University of Utah campus, designed by MHTN Architects and completed in 2014. The center is named after Spencer Eccles, a prominent Utah businessman and philanthropist, who donated $10 million to the project, along with his wife, Cleone Eccles. The center serves as a hub for student activity, providing a wide range of facilities and services, including those offered by the University of Utah Student Union and the Associated Students of the University of Utah.

● History

The Eccles Student Life Center was built to replace the old University of Utah Student Union building, which was constructed in the 1960s. The new center was designed to meet the growing needs of the University of Utah student body, with input from students, faculty, and staff, including University of Utah President David W. Pershing and University of Utah Student Body President Sam Ortiz. The center's construction was made possible through a combination of private donations, including those from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Zions Bank, and public funding, including support from the Utah State Legislature and the Utah System of Higher Education. The center was officially opened on January 5, 2015, with a grand opening ceremony attended by Utah Governor Gary Herbert and Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker.

● Facilities

The Eccles Student Life Center features a wide range of facilities, including a fitness center with equipment donated by Precor, a swimming pool designed by Myrtha Pools, and a rock climbing wall built by Entre Prises. The center also includes several multipurpose rooms, a game room with equipment provided by Brunswick Bowling, and a food court featuring restaurants such as Chick-fil-A and Panda Express. Additionally, the center has a medical clinic staffed by University of Utah Health professionals, a counseling center affiliated with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and a student lounge with furniture provided by Herman Miller. The center's facilities are designed to promote student health and wellness, with input from experts at the American Council on Exercise and the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association.

● Programs_and_Services

The Eccles Student Life Center offers a variety of programs and services to support student success, including academic advising provided by the University of Utah Academic Advising Center, career counseling offered by the University of Utah Career Services, and mental health resources provided by the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The center also hosts various events and workshops, such as stress management seminars led by experts from the Mayo Clinic and time management workshops presented by FranklinCovey. Additionally, the center provides opportunities for students to get involved in community service projects, such as those organized by the United Way and the American Red Cross, and leadership development programs, including those offered by the Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics and the National Society of Leadership and Success.

● Location_and_Architecture

The Eccles Student Life Center is located in the heart of the University of Utah campus, near the Jon M. Huntsman Center and the Rice-Eccles Stadium. The center's design was inspired by the natural beauty of the surrounding Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake, with a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, incorporating features such as solar panels provided by SunPower and rainwater harvesting systems designed by Watershed Management Group. The center's architecture was recognized with a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and a Design Excellence Award from the American Institute of Architects.

● Student_Organizations

The Eccles Student Life Center is home to a variety of student organizations, including the Associated Students of the University of Utah, the University of Utah Student Union, and the Utah Student Association. These organizations provide opportunities for students to get involved in student government, community service, and cultural events, such as those sponsored by the Asian American Student Association and the Black Student Union. The center also hosts events and activities organized by student organizations, such as concerts featuring performers like Kenny Chesney and The Killers, and cultural festivals celebrating Chinese New Year and Dia de los Muertos.

● Activities_and_Events

The Eccles Student Life Center hosts a wide range of activities and events throughout the year, including fitness classes taught by instructors certified by the American Council on Exercise, workshops on topics such as stress management and time management, and entertainment events like comedy shows featuring comedians like Kevin Hart and Amy Schumer. The center also hosts cultural events celebrating diversity and inclusion, such as LGBTQ+ Pride Month and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with support from organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and the NAACP. Additionally, the center provides opportunities for students to participate in recreational sports and intramural activities, such as basketball and soccer, through programs offered by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association and the American Sports Education Program.

Category:University of Utah buildings