The McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC) is a crucial building to today’s campus. You’ve likely been through to grab a coffee or sandwich on the first floor, but that’s not all MUSC has to offer. MUSC is a building for students created by students. Built 15 years ago, students at the time committed to a levy on their fees to begin fundraising for a building that could provide the services needed for students. In the end, students ended up raising $24 million for the building, and with another $10 million in private funding, the student centre became a reality.
The building was designed by Moriyama & Teshima Architects. From their website, they provide a great description of the building and its impact on McMaster’s campus: “A vibrant hub of social and cultural life on campus, the McMaster University Student Centre physically integrates two significant heritage buildings: the 1930 University Hall and the 1965 Gilmour Hall. A three-level atrium with a glass roof forms the building’s central dining room and gathering area; within this bright, airy space a green canopy of indoor trees shelters the seating below and establishes strong connections to nature. A gathering area off the main entrance rotunda draws students into the space with seating and the warm hearth of a two-sided fireplace.
Skylights, clerestories, generous windows, and fully-glazed walls flood the Centre with natural light, a precious commodity when winter days are short. In summer, screens and light baffles control glare and excessive heat gain. A south-facing outdoor living room serves as an entry court and provides a sunny spot for meetings or coffee breaks. Other outdoor rooms extend beyond the boundaries of the University Centre to engage in the activity of daily campus life.”
While you likely frequent the student centre for coffee and lunch breaks (I know I’m there every Thursday for a new Donut Monster donut) did you know the upstairs is filled with offices for most student services? On the second floor, you’ll find the McMaster Student’s Union office, where the Student Union board works away year after year. You can read more about this year’s board here, led by President Chukky Ibe.
Before the McMaster University Student Centre was built, the student centre resided in: Hamilton Hall ('70s), Wentworth House ('60s), Alumni Memorial Hall ('50s), and the Rec Huts ('40s)
There are a plethora of other student services, but one awesome service that we can take advantage of is the Mac Farm Stand. Over the summer, the Mac Farm Stand, a student run farmer’s market of sorts, sets up in the Student Centre and you can get local produce and food. But that’s not all, they’ve also partnered with local spots across Hamilton to provide discounts to Faculty, Staff and Students, all you need is valid McMaster id (your employee card) and this discount card.
One final tidbit to highlight about the student centre is the student made clock located at the North Entrance. Have you ever noticed the beautiful glass McMaster crest above the doors as you leave the building? This is actually a clock, made by engineering students at the time as part of their legacy to the university. They designed the clock to be a ring to represent the ring that engineers receive when they graduate. To learn more about these students and how this clock came to be, check out this Daily News article from 2003.
So, I hope next time you go to grab a coffee you notice a few of those extra architectural details, and take advantage of the Mac Farm Stand.
