Coffman Memorial Union
| University of Minnesota Coffman Memorial Union | |
|---|---|
 Coffman Memorial Union as viewed from Northrop Mall | |
| General information | |
| Type | Student union |
| Location | Minneapolis, United States |
| Address | 300 Washington Ave. S.E. |
| Construction started | 1939 |
| Opening | 1940 |
| Inaugurated | October 25, 1940 |
| Renovated | 1974-1976, 1999-2003 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 336,000 square feet |
| Lifts/elevators | 4 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Clarence H. Johnston, Jr. |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect | Ellerbe Becket [1] |
| Website | |
| http://www.coffman.umn.edu | |
Coffman Memorial Union (commonly known as Coffman Union or simply Coffman) is a student union on the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota, United States. Located immediately south of Washington Avenue, it anchors the south end of Northrop Mall and overlooks the Mississippi River. It was designed by Clarence H. Johnston, Jr. and is named for Lotus Coffman, President of the University of Minnesota between 1920 and 1938.
Coffman Memorial Union opened in 1940 and has undergone several subsequent renovations. Some of these renovations have been widely criticized, especially in the 1970s when the exterior was significantly altered. The most recent, and most extensive, renovation closed the building between 1999 and 2003. This renovation restored the exterior, thoroughly renovated the interior, and greatly expanded the basement floors, which now include the main University of Minnesota Bookstore, food vendors, offices, lounges, and the glass "Cube" which sits adjacent to Washington Avenue. The building hosts a variety of services including food & dining, the Coffman Union Book store, printing services, administration services, IT Student Lab, and student group services. A majority of the student groups can be found on the second floor, while the lower level offers access to the book store, dining & printing services, and access to lower level parking.[2]
Coffman Memorial Union is operated quasi-independently from the University of Minnesota by the Student Unions & Activities (SUA) Board of Governors. The building is home to the Minnesota Student Association (the undergraduate student government organization), the Minnesota Programs and Activities Council (MPAC), the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (the graduate student government organization), and the campus's main bookstore. Coordinates: 44°58′22″N 93°14′07″W / 44.9727°N 93.2354°W[3]
Gallery
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The south side of the union from the Mississippi River north bank
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CMU at night, with the "Cube" in foreground
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Metro Transit buses at Washington Avenue bus stop on north side of Coffman Memorial Union. Hasselmo Hall and Moos Health Science Tower in background. Union on right.
References
- ↑ "University of Minnesota Coffman Memorial Union Renovation Comments", Retrieved on 19 April 2016.
- ↑ "Coffman Memorial Union Campus Maps", Retrieved on 24 April 2016.
- ↑ Coffman Memorial Union, Minneapolis, MN, 55455. Google Earth. Retrieved 2011-03-09.