Student Commons
Missouri Alumnus 
October 1963

This new addition to Memorial Student Union facilities, beginning with its 
opening at the start of Summer Session, won quick approval of University 
students. It is located on the Mall, between Conley Avenue and Rollins street; 
in the photo above, portions of student residence halls and the Medical Venter 
may be seen in the background, south of the new building. The Student Commons 
was designed to make the most of natural lighting; large parts of the exterior 
walls of the first and second floors are in effect expansive picture windows 
overlooking broad landscaped areas of the campus. The building has many features 
to recommend it: spacious facilities for recreation and relaxation or study, 
attractive and restful décor, and central campus location. The Student Commons 
was constructed at a cost of approximately $1,294,600; the new south wing of 
Memorial Union, together with the renovation of food services on the first two 
floors of the north wing, cost $1,600,000. The funds came from a loan form the 
U.S. Housing and Home Finance Agency, an issue of general revenue bonds, and 
non-appropriated University funds. The cost will be repaid with the income from 
the operation of the various Student Union facilities and from Student Union 
activity fees. No state-appropriated funds are being used.

Picture Captions:

This room, one of the most spacious in the Student Commons, is adaptable to a 
variety of functions such as lectures, conferences and demonstrations. On this 
occasion freshman and sophomore students were receiving social dance instruction 
in a physical education course.

A small area of the listening room where students may relax to the accompaniment 
of music they may select from a library of classical recordings.

The attractive décor also extends to the snack bar on the main floor. The 
University Book Store has permanent quarters across the corridor. 

Color television, and 80 seats form which to view it, are provided on the second 
floor.

A favorite spot is the inviting browsing lounge with its tasteful furnishings 
and sweeping view of the south campus.

Sixteen bowling lanes are located in the basement. Billiards are also available 
in the games area. Both are innovations in student recreational facilities at 
the University.