Photo by Jade Johnson | The Signal
Georgia State has recently changed the name of the Student*University Center to Student Center West and Student Center East respectively, according to a Georgia State Press Release.
Director of the Georgia State Student Center Boyd Beckwith said the changes were due to an accumulation of incidents where students and visitors were confused. He also said the change will help events become easier to find.
The Student Center Advisory Council considered some names but found Student Center East and Student Center West to be the most logical, according to Beckwith. He also said there was already a precedent with Library North and South.
“Especially for new students and visitors, the new room numbers are clearer, by identifying which building they are in, the floor they are on, and they will be in sequential order. So that if you see SCE 203 but are looking for SCE 201 you know you are in the right vicinity,” said Beckwith.
Summer Incept leaders have been using the new names and room numbers with incoming students, according to Beckwith. As for other students, he said new maps have been made available online and in print in both Student Center East and Student Center West.
Georgia State sophomore Christina Fortier said she thinks current students will be stubborn with the new names.
“I think changing the name isn’t going to be helpful at all because the people that already go to this school are still going to call it the University Center and the Student Center,” Fortier said. “So the name isn’t going to stick.”
Beckwith also said additional signage will be installed to help individuals navigate the buildings.
Georgia State has also experienced other changes to its campus buildings this year, according to Beckwith.
He said the Information Center in Student Center East was renovated to be more welcoming and for visitors to see the Information Center staff easier from more entrances.
Also, digital signage of “Today’s Events” has been placed throughout both Student Centers to broadcast when and where an activity is taking place, according to Beckwith.
“We recently launched Virtual EMS so that students, faculty and staff can go online to see what is taking place in the Student Center, see what rooms might be available for a program they are planning and even submit a room request from the comfort of their home or office,” he said.
This is also not the first time Georgia State has seen name changes in campus buildings. Student Center West was known as J.C. Camp Student Center in 1965 and didn’t become known as the University Center until the 1980’s, according to Beckwith.
