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The College of St. Scholastica

After years of dreaming about a dedicated space for students to gather, we are excited to be in the construction phase of our student center! Opening in fall 2024, the student center will increase space for meeting, studying and simply being together.

In the midst of changes around campus, it is vital to offer hospitality to our community and guests through regular and timely updates. Check back for updates on parking, changes to building accessibility and more.

Construction Project Updates

Greetings, Saints! We’re almost to the halfway point in the school year and we’re excited to show you how the Student Center is coming along.

As you can imagine, this fall’s mild weather has helped the construction crews move quickly and efficiently through their work, keeping the project on track and budget. Seeing is believing, though, so take a peek at where things are at this week:

A photo of the outside of the student center construction. Photo of the signed beam put in place in the new student center A view of the progress inside of the student center A view of the progress inside of the student center A view of the progress inside of the student center

Reminders:

  • A note about winter parking: The construction site is already preparing for snow, so the roadways and parking lots around the BWC and up to the field should not be impacted by the project.
  • Heads up! Pay extra attention to your surroundings while walking, biking or driving around campus. Construction crews look for eye contact to ensure no surprises with deliveries and other work that may need to happen outside the site barriers.
  • Stay out of the site. Smile! Security cameras are monitoring the construction site.
  • Walk on the sidewalks, not the roads. With the increase in truck traffic and narrower roads due to site fencing, let’s make it easier for drivers to navigate by sticking to sidewalks as much as possible.
  • Don’t forget: The speed limit on campus is 15 MPH!

Questions and concerns about the project should be directed to Tim Orlowski, director of facilities services, at torlowsk@css.edu or 218-723-6712.

-Updated December 2023

Parking Information

Parking availability will change throughout construction. As the project continues, we will provide updated parking information to guide you. We want to ensure you have all the resources you need to navigate the Duluth campus during this time.

Current Parking Map

View Full Campus Map (PDF)

Current Campus Parking Map, showing a partial closure in the Mitchell Auditorium Lot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are we building a student center? Why now?

First conceived in the Master Plan of 2003, a student center is the last of five major projects identified as a need on the Duluth campus. The other projects, now completed, are the Burns Wellness Center, Science Building addition, Somers Hall renovation and the Health Science Center.

Student centers serve as the heartbeat of a campus and enhance the student experience and provide much needed space for engagement, well-being and community building. They represent a space of hospitality where students grow in their personal and intellectual development, and a place that fosters a sense of belonging.

Through our Second Century of Saints campaign, in particular the Believe. Belong. Transform. public phase since July 1, 2021, donors have shown a great deal of support for the project. As a result, the student center will be completed as a gift to the students of the College — 100% of the project cost will be covered without taking on debt.

Student Center Virtual Walkthrough

Check out this virtual walkthrough of the student center design! The 17,000-square-foot space will house open space for gathering, studying and meeting, as well as study booths, meeting rooms and offices for various student services. The center will also house a café for late-night food options. For more information about the student center project and the Second Century of Saints Campaign making it possible, visit css.edu/campaign.

Timeline

October 2022

Board of Trustees approves project

April 24, 2023

Construction begins

 

May 2023

Groundbreaking

August 2024

Grand Opening

Architectural drawing of the new St. Scholastica Student Center.

A Second Century of Saints: Believe. Belong. Transform.

We are pleased to announce our capital campaign. Learn more about our public phase priorities and donate.