By Jennifer W. Sanchez
Tribune Reporter

After sitting for hours through a classical language class, Charles Atherton was hungry.

But instead of heading home for lunch as usual, he opted for a Sonic meal deal at the new University of New Mexico Student Union Building.

Sitting alone at a silver table on the SUB patio, Atherton indulged in a cheeseburger, fries and an iced Pepsi.

"It's good," he said as he packed up his trash, "but I was disappointed there wasn't a soup and salad bar."

Still, Atherton, a retiree taking a UNM summer class, said it's great to see the newly renovated building up and running.

"It's beautiful," he said.

For the first time in more than two years, UNM students, teachers and visitors were able to hang out at the student union building.

UNM leaders were scheduled to "officially" open the $25 million-renovated building to the public with a quick ceremony this morning.

On Monday, the pueblo-style building opened its doors while workers in hard hats finished last minute details and cleaned. Some students bought a chicken sandwich and went to class. Others walked around wide-eyed checking out the SUB.

Amanda Sims, vice president of UNM's student government, sat in her new SUB office filing papers. A mountain of brown boxes sat outside.

Most of the SUB's new offices are filled with new brown desks, built-in shelves and wooden cabinets.

Sims, a criminology senior, said she's excited the SUB is open and will welcome students this fall.

"You've been hearing about this for years," she said. "It's fabulous. It meets the needs of all the students on campus - whether you want lunch or need to meet with someone or just want to relax in the lounge."

The meeting rooms are the best part of the new SUB because they are equipped with audio/visual devices, white boards and big windows, Sims said.

"The meeting rooms are going to be very beneficial to the student groups," she said.

About 50 student organizations will be housed in the building, according to SUB officials.

The SUB has been closed since December 2000 for remodeling.

The renovated building originally was scheduled to open in the fall of 2002.

In February, the university fired the project's general contractor, Silver Construction Inc. of Albuquerque, for delays, and hired K.L. House Construction of Albuquerque in March to finish.

On Monday, most of the building was functioning.

SUB officials said they are still waiting for a few computers and some sound equipment for the theater.

Jeff Sadowski, a UNM computer science junior, said he had to try a couple of network ports in the SUB before he was able to access the Internet on his black laptop because some of them weren't working.

Before, he said, he usually had to go across campus to Dane Smith Hall to work with his computer; now, he can use his computer and have lunch at the SUB.

"I'll probably be eating here more often, too," said Sadowski, who worked at the SUB for two hours Monday. "It's nice."

THE NEW STUDENT UNION BUILDING

Age of previous building: 44 years

Time taken to remodel: 30 months

Cost of renovation: $25 million

Summer hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed.

Closest parking: Parking lot east of the UNM Bookstore at Central Avenue and Cornell Drive.

Parking cost: Up to $6 a day.

Theater capacity: 190 people

Ballroom capacity: 800 for a banquet, up to 1,169 theater style.

Computer capacity: The Lobo Lab will have about 100 computer stations.

Offices and organizations: 30 offices shared among about 50 student groups.

Meeting rooms: 20

Al fresco: The east-side patio seats about 240 people.

Indoors: The indoor dining area seats about 800.

Finance: A branch of the New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union.

Home for: SUB operations, student activities, student government and student recruitment.

Ante: Students pay about $20 in fees a semester to help fund the SUB.

EATING AT THE SUB:

Sonic, hamburgers, desserts and all-day breakfast menu.

Chick-fil-A, chicken nuggets and sandwiches.

Zia Juice, smoothies.

B‚ne Pizza and Pasta.

Higher Grounds, coffees, sandwiches, salads, soup and pastries.

Mountgue's Deli, sandwiches and soup.

Casitas, breakfast and meat burritos.

World's Fare, different international dishes each day, except on Thursdays, which are Turkey Day.

Mercado, a convenience store.

Information: Call the SUB offices at 277-2331

Source:The New Mexico Student Union Administrative Office and UNM SUB officials.

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