Published June 9, 2021
WHAT: Groundbreaking for The HUB
WHEN: 10 a.m., Friday, June 18
WHERE: ULM campus, the lot at the corner of University Avenue and Northeast Drive
A groundbreaking ceremony for the University of Louisiana Monroe’s new student building,
The HUB, is set for 10 a.m., Friday, June 18, at the empty lot at the corner of University
Avenue and Northeast Drive.
Construction at the site is scheduled to begin by July 1. The facility is slated to
open for the Fall 2022 semester.
The $11.6-million facility is a partnership with Aramark, which provides food services
at ULM. Aramark will invest $6 million in the project, with the remainder coming from
student facilities fees.
The HUB will be a contemporary two-story, 23,000-plus square-foot facility with seating
for more than 600.
A lot of collaboration goes on over dinner. It’s an important part of the college
experience, and The HUB is going to add another element to being a Warhawk.”
President Ron Berry
The HUB will start with five food vendors, Starbucks, Subway, Flip Kitchen, Bento
Sushi, and Chick-fil-A, and a small market with fresh food and groceries.
The versatile space with modern décor will be student-centric with group seating,
meeting areas, WIFI, charging outlets, and plenty of room.
“The HUB will have a relaxed, casual atmosphere for students to enjoy and have a bite
to eat. When I was a student here, we discussed classes and assignments at the SUB.
A lot of collaboration goes on over dinner,” said President Ron Berry. “It’s an important
part of the college experience, and The HUB is going to add another element to being
a Warhawk.”
Tommy Walpole, executive director of ULM Auxiliary Enterprises & Student Services,
said the discussion of the project started in 2019. The project was postponed in 2020
due to COVID-19.
“We are excited about the new HUB and what it will bring to ULM and our students.
Our partnership with Aramark began in 2002, and The HUB is a part of our newest agreement.
Aramark is covering almost 60 percent of the cost of the new HUB in addition to providing
future dollars for other projects in the food services area at ULM,” Walpole said.
SGA President Lauren Fee said The HUB will go beyond new dining experiences for students.
“The HUB will surely spark excitement across our student body. It allows each of us
to be a part of history and new beginnings here at ULM. Our students deserve nothing
but the best, and I have no doubt that this is exactly what The HUB will be,” she
said.
The HUB was designed by Tipton Associates of Baton Rouge. Lincoln Builders of Ruston
is the general contractor.
Parking surrounding the site will be closed during construction.
The existing Student Union Building, commonly referred to as the SUB, was constructed
in 1938. It houses restaurants, the U.S. Post Office, meeting rooms, ballrooms, and
several offices. Aramark will continue to operate a large kitchen in the SUB.
