Brown-Lupton University Union
Overview
The Brown-Lupton University Union (/ˈbraʊn lupton ˌjuːnəˈvɝsətɪ ˈjuːnjən/), aka BLUU (/blu/; like the color blue), is a large building located on the west side of the Texas Christian University campus on Stadium Drive. It is directly off the commons in the “center” of campus (campus including the academic buildings, dormitories, and athletic stadiums). But it is seen as the community “center” as the BLUU actively provides programs, services, and facilities to all members of the campus. "As the center of university community life, it serves as an arena for students to apply their educational experience outside the classroom, providing co-curricular activities and employment opportunities"(8). This area brings students who live both on and off campus together and provide a common area for everyone to gather, much like the living room of a house. It functions as a living room in the sense that the University Union is designed to be a clean space in which family and friends of those on campus can relax and enjoy themselves. Involvement with the BLUU "leads to an understanding, appreciation, and practice of values that foster service, quality, diversity, and leadership"(8). These core values are: Service- Providing consistent and quality service with a staff that wants to support all people in their goals is a prime directive of the Union. Diversity- The Union actively embraces diversity as an attribute of the area and something they strive to keep strong. This is done by providing a safe space for all people in the campus but also a place where various ideas and lifestyles collide in a positive manner. Leadership- By providing the ability for students to work in the building, the goal is for students to use these jobs in order to become strong, competent leaders for society. |
http://www.fortwortharchitecture.com/south/univ-union.htm
View of the BLUU from the Campus Commons.
https://www.masoncontractors.org/project/tcu-brown-lupton-university-union/
View of the BLUU from Stadium Drive.
http://www.portfolio.tcu.edu/campus_shots/Webpages/view.np/view-01.html
View of the clock tower from the Campus Commons.
http://www.physicalplant.tcu.edu/projects_bluu_more_images.asp
View from the BLUU into the Campus Commons.
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History
The 145,700 square foot Brown-Lupton University Union, otherwise referred to as the BLUU, began undergoing construction in January of 2007. By the 2nd of September 2008, there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony held to commemorate the opening of the new 45 million dollar building to TCU students, faculty, and the general public alike. The BLUU is named after T.J. "Tom" Brown and Charles A. Lupton, two men who owned the Coca Cola bottling franchise in both Texas and California decades ago. In 1944, they created the Brown-Lupton foundation, which has since been a generous TCU benefactor (1).
The 145,700 square foot Brown-Lupton University Union, otherwise referred to as the BLUU, began undergoing construction in January of 2007. By the 2nd of September 2008, there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony held to commemorate the opening of the new 45 million dollar building to TCU students, faculty, and the general public alike. The BLUU is named after T.J. "Tom" Brown and Charles A. Lupton, two men who owned the Coca Cola bottling franchise in both Texas and California decades ago. In 1944, they created the Brown-Lupton foundation, which has since been a generous TCU benefactor (1).
Brown-Lupton University Union Services
First Floor
Union Grounds is a coffee-esque shop located on the first floor of the north building of the BLUU. It is a relaxing place that has many areas for sitting and tables for working. They serve beverages and food made to order as well as bottled drinks and pre-packaged food.
TCU Spirit Shop is a small business located next to Union Grounds on the first floor of the north building that sells a variety of Texas Christian University apparel. Their items are from a variety of retailers and they also sell basic school supplies which sport the TCU logo.
Chick-Fil-A is a popular spot for students that is located down the hall from Union Grounds in the north building on the first floor. They do not offer the full Chick-Fil-A menu, but they do serve all the basic menu items such as chicken nuggets, sandwiches, and salads.
The Mail Center is what it implies, a full service post office that will send and receive mail for students who live on campus. However, a yearly fee must be purchased for the student to have access to their own PO Box.
The Information Desk provides any information regarding both the University as a whole and for events that may be coming up that students or visitors can attend.
BLUU History Box displays different elements that relate to student life over the years of the institution's activity. Other large-scale panels found in this area depict the history of the University as a whole as well as important graduates and how they used their education at TCU to contribute to society in an impactful way.
Student Activities is located on the south side of the first floor of the BLUU and is there a mechanism that organizes large events such as the TCU Tree Lighting and helps facilitate the leadership of various groups around campus. The mission of Student Activities is to “endear students to TCU through irresistible events and experiential leadership opportunities.” Some ways that they do this is by advising the following groups:
Second Floor
Student Development Services is located on the south side of the second floor. This office handles all types of different student organizations. For example, any club that wants to be a part of the campus has to go through this office, as well as leadership positions, mentoring programs, communications, First Year Experience (Orientation and Frog Camp), grade level experiences, and Parent Association. The mission statement of Student Development Services is “To maximize student potential through individual and community development”(5).
The TCU ID Center is located on the middle of the second floor. This office takes Student ID photos and distributes them in case the ID is lost by a student, or a student simply needs a new one. The ID Center also takes care of yearbook photos, as well as provides any ID service(s) necessary.
Market Square is the main cafeteria located on the north side of the second floor. Although it is mostly used by freshmen, other grades are also welcome to help themselves to the many selections of food that Market Square offers.
Third Floor
The Horned Frog Grand Ballroom is a large room located on the third floor that hosts a variety of events that range from concerts, to speakers, to comedians. The Ballroom seats up to 450 guests. The third floor of the BLUU is also home to 12 different conference rooms that can be utilized for whatever purpose by those who wish to check them out. The Chancellor’s Dining Room is a large dining that can be reserved for more formal private events.
First Floor
Union Grounds is a coffee-esque shop located on the first floor of the north building of the BLUU. It is a relaxing place that has many areas for sitting and tables for working. They serve beverages and food made to order as well as bottled drinks and pre-packaged food.
TCU Spirit Shop is a small business located next to Union Grounds on the first floor of the north building that sells a variety of Texas Christian University apparel. Their items are from a variety of retailers and they also sell basic school supplies which sport the TCU logo.
Chick-Fil-A is a popular spot for students that is located down the hall from Union Grounds in the north building on the first floor. They do not offer the full Chick-Fil-A menu, but they do serve all the basic menu items such as chicken nuggets, sandwiches, and salads.
The Mail Center is what it implies, a full service post office that will send and receive mail for students who live on campus. However, a yearly fee must be purchased for the student to have access to their own PO Box.
The Information Desk provides any information regarding both the University as a whole and for events that may be coming up that students or visitors can attend.
BLUU History Box displays different elements that relate to student life over the years of the institution's activity. Other large-scale panels found in this area depict the history of the University as a whole as well as important graduates and how they used their education at TCU to contribute to society in an impactful way.
Student Activities is located on the south side of the first floor of the BLUU and is there a mechanism that organizes large events such as the TCU Tree Lighting and helps facilitate the leadership of various groups around campus. The mission of Student Activities is to “endear students to TCU through irresistible events and experiential leadership opportunities.” Some ways that they do this is by advising the following groups:
- theCrew is a student-led group that brings weekly events to campus that are free for all students to attend.
- Hall Crew Association is an organization made up of students who help out in each of the 13 residence halls by working at the desk. Hall Crew also works to provide a fun and meaningful living experience for the residents.
- theEnd provides campus experiences on weekends that are for students to attend, however tickets for certain activities sometimes have to be reserved.
- Student Government Association (SGA) - Their mission statement: “SGA exists to represent the collective voice of the student body while encompassing the spirit of the TCU community through service, programming and legislation.” SGA is composed of a Cabinet, House of Representatives, Frog Aides, Judicial Board, and theCrew. The Cabinet's goal is composed of four elected student body officers, the Speaker of the House, the Frog Aides Co-Directors, and the President's Chief of Staff. Their goal is to make sure all of SGA runs smoothly as well as work to improve the TCU experience. The House of Representatives is made up of 56 students who vote on legislation that brings change to campus. Frog Aides consists of first-year students who gain hands-on experience by implementing projects and student programs both on campus and in the community. The Judicial Board governs judicial proceedings within SGA "including, but not limited to election disputes, code of ethics violations, and challenges of constitutionality"(9).
- Family Weekend is a designed event in that Fall where all students welcome their family into town to enjoy the University and a football game, among other events that occur over the course of the weekend.
- FrogsFirst is a collective group of activities that are designed for all first-year students (typically 18-19 year old freshmen) that occur a few days before the commencement of classes in the Fall.
- Homecoming includes a series of events that occur during the week before the Homecoming football game, and usually include a parade, voting for Mr./Mrs. TCU, and other school pride events.
- What2do@TCU is a website that shows all events that are happening on campus as well as their respective times and locations.
- Yearbook organizes the taking of the pictures for the yearbook as well as the ordering and distribution of the yearbooks.
Second Floor
Student Development Services is located on the south side of the second floor. This office handles all types of different student organizations. For example, any club that wants to be a part of the campus has to go through this office, as well as leadership positions, mentoring programs, communications, First Year Experience (Orientation and Frog Camp), grade level experiences, and Parent Association. The mission statement of Student Development Services is “To maximize student potential through individual and community development”(5).
The TCU ID Center is located on the middle of the second floor. This office takes Student ID photos and distributes them in case the ID is lost by a student, or a student simply needs a new one. The ID Center also takes care of yearbook photos, as well as provides any ID service(s) necessary.
Market Square is the main cafeteria located on the north side of the second floor. Although it is mostly used by freshmen, other grades are also welcome to help themselves to the many selections of food that Market Square offers.
- Oasis is a flatbread station where students are welcome to build their own flatbread. They have an area separate from flatbread that contains a soup and salad bar.
- IL Trattoria is a pizza bar that serves many different kinds of pizza by the slice.
- Trinity Express is similar to a fast food restaurant in that they serve chicken nuggets, burgers, fries, tacos, quesadillas, and more.
- Stacks is a sandwich bar where students have the build their own sandwich.
- Shuffles cycles through a daily set of meals that are cooked fresh and vary between days and meals. Their menu ranges from stir fry to mac'n'cheese and baked potato bars.
- The Cookhouse has a more southern-style approach to their food. They serve meals that include some sort of meat, greens and mashed potatoes.
- Mindful serves gluten-free and vegan options, as well as contains a smoothie station.
- Seasonal: Market Square occasionally has a seasonal variation of food for the day where the food is cooked outside. The food is something based on the current season or holiday, such as Mardi gras, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the occasional barbecue or crawfish boil.
- Brunch: Every Sunday, Market Square serves a brunch line cater-style that is very popular among student who actually wake up and go to it. Some of the popular brunch dishes include mac’n’cheese, fresh rolls, and brisket.
- Late Night at the BLUU is open from 10-12 pm on weekdays. During these hours, the BLUU serves breakfast food for those who get the late-night munchies.
Third Floor
The Horned Frog Grand Ballroom is a large room located on the third floor that hosts a variety of events that range from concerts, to speakers, to comedians. The Ballroom seats up to 450 guests. The third floor of the BLUU is also home to 12 different conference rooms that can be utilized for whatever purpose by those who wish to check them out. The Chancellor’s Dining Room is a large dining that can be reserved for more formal private events.
Citations
- TRAINOR, G. (2008, Aug 26). New $45 million student union gets good reviews on first day Brown-Lupton University Union has plenty of places students can meet, but the food court may be the favorite. Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX), p. B01.. Retrieved from http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/122D1A9B5977E1D8?p=WORLDNEWS
- TCU Student Activities Website. https://studentactivities.tcu.edu
- What2do@TCU Website. https://what2do.tcu.edu
- TCU Tree Lighting student made page. jtlawson.weebly.com/tcu-pedia-page.html
- Interview with Janette Hudson March 8th 2018.
- Pamphlet from the Information Desk March 9th 2018.
- Photos courtesy of Website listed below the photo.
- The Brown-Lupton University Union Homepage: union.tcu.edu/about-the-union/
- Student Government Association (SGA). sga.tcu.edu/about/