Late Nite Binghamton celebrated its grand reopening last Friday, after the renovations to the Old University Union were completed.
According to James L. Koval, the director of the University Union Office, the facilities in the Union at BU have been upgraded, but are largely the same as they were before the renovation.
“The bowling alley, the billiards area, the table tennis room have been renovated. We’re moving Munchies downstairs, the post office moved a little shop downstairs to do cash operations for students and there is a computer repair shop down there,” he said. “The main floor rooms are meeting rooms and classrooms, available to students after 4 p.m. We also added a computer POD next to the bowling alley.”
The activities for the opening weekend were Las Vegas-themed, inspired by the movie “The Hangover,” which was originally going to be shown, but then postponed due to screening legalities.
This two-night event, co-sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club Volunteer Program, consisted of a casino night on Friday and a charity poker tournament on Saturday, with grand prizes of an iPod touch and a flat screen television.
According to Moshe Roberts, BU volunteer coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club of Binghamton, all the money raised will go toward supporting BU students volunteering to help with under-served children at the Club.
Koval said that the downstairs area will also serve as a lounge for students, as the University is working on turning the Undergrounds Cafe into a coffee house during daytime hours.
The renovation of the Old University Union began in May of 2008 and was finished this September. The changes were required in order to remove asbestos from the building.
These renovations have enabled Late Nite programming to expand.
“The space is enormous in the Undergrounds,” said Jennifer Keegin, the associate director of Campus Life for campus activities. “We can have student organization performances, dance performances on the [new] stage … We would like to have student bands, local bands, comedian performances.”
According to Keegin, Late Nite plans two events each Friday and Saturday night in the Undergrounds for a total of four programs per week.
Late Nite plans to co-sponsor bigger programs this year with organizations like the Student Association and Hillel.
“Due to budget cutbacks, we’re not able to offer tiny things, so we’re focusing on programming larger, quality events,” she said.
In prior years, Late Nite offered crafts, movies, student bands, laser tag, a singer-songwriter contest and other team recreational activities. According to Keegin, Late Nite plans to bring back some of its original programs that upperclassmen may remember from when they were freshmen.
Many students approved of the Late Nite renovations and the programming activities of opening weekend.
“I really like the space,” said Jon Karlas, a sophomore politics, philosophy and law major. “It’s clear everyone’s been working hard to set it up, and the effort shows. The stage is a good space and I definitely like the relaxed atmosphere and think it’s a great place for students of all backgrounds to come.”
Liz Burke, a sophomore with an undeclared major, was also pleased with the changes. She said the new space is better for shows, which Late Nite did not provide last year.
“I feel like it [the Old University Union] hasn’t changed, but it’s nice,” said Emily Duman, a junior nursing major. “I feel like the programs are the same, too, but I haven’t seen many performances this year. However, I look forward to attending more Late Nite events.”
Overall, the atmosphere surrounding Late Nite is one of excitement.
“Late Nite has everything,” said sophomore cinema major Shimao Zhou. “A lot more things … like tonight there’s casino, downstairs there’s pool … drinks and arts and crafts. It feels like a party!”