There are a lot of things that goes on at the Kansas Union at Kansas University.

“What doesn’t go on at the Union?” said David Johnston, the marketing director. “Traditionally, the union is considered the living room of campus.”

Matt Clark, Eden Prairie Minn., senior, left, and Jimmy Hummert, St. Louis senior, create a medieval sand castle during the annual Sandcastle Play Day in front of Wescoe Hall. Prizes were awarded by Student Union Activities for the top creations.

Well, here’s some of the things that the Union, often along with KU’s Student Union Activities, offers the recreation-minded student:

Concerts.

Lectures.

Movies.

Games.

Food.

“If you happen to be walking by, you can stop on in and enjoy,” said John Hobble, the box office manager at Kansas Union. “We try to have something at least once a week.”

	SUA eventsFor more on KU’s Student Union Activities, go to www.ukans.edu/~sua

During the 2001-’02 school year, SUA brought notables such as Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills to campus, as well as former South African president F.W. de Klerk and former U.S. presidential candidate Ralph Nader.

On the lighter side, SUA also sponsored the popular Day on the Hill music festival, a sand-castle tournament, a trivia tournament league, an interactive murder mystery play, an illusionist and other fun activities.

“We’re constantly busy,” Hobble said. “We constantly have things going on in here.”

Jaybowl to re-open

And the offerings are about to expand. After a year being closed for renovations, the Jaybowl will re-open this fall.

“Level One of the Kansas Union has been completely renovated, and the Jaybowl will be back with new lanes and new ball returns,” said Mike Fine, Jaybowl coordinator.

The Jaybowl area will have more room for video games and performances by comedians, musicians and a few talented amateurs.

“We get a lot of people saying how much they miss it and how much they want it back,” Fine said. “We’re really excited about getting it open again. Students helped with the planning and we think we’ve met the challenges.”

The Jaybowl hadn’t been renovated since 1960.

“It’s just going to look completely different,” Fine said. “We think that Level One of the Kansas Union will be the premier college recreation area in the country. It’s going to be pretty impressive.”

Union meets demands

Johnston said renovations to the union had made it a good gathering place.

“We are providing an opportunity on campus where a student can get together with his peers and teachers to socialize on an informal basis,” he said.

The offerings have evolved over the years, as SUA and the Union have worked to keep up with changes in technology DVD players, the Internet and more that have made it possible for students to find entertainment without ever leaving their rooms.

The Kansas Union is now at least partially open 24 hours a day, with a year-old convenience store. Johnston said that’s a deliberate decision.

“We’re feeling increased competition for student time and attention, and most of the competition occurs after hours, when we haven’t had many offerings,” he said.

College students, after all, don’t ever seem to sleep.

“They eat their pizza for breakfast and drink their coffee at midnight,” Johnston said.

Now, Johnston said, “if you want to study late, you can, and you’ll be able to get a cup of coffee and a bagel.”

But the Union and SUA are following their traditional roles in continuing to offer fun and educational opportunities.

“I know when I was in school, SUA was very important to me,” Hobble said. “That was back before we had VCRs and actually went to the movies.”

Students can see films after they’ve left the first-run theaters but before they come out on video for just $2 at the Union. And the “Spectrum” film series shows cult and independent movies that wouldn’t get a large audience otherwise.

“During Langston Hughes (centennial celebration), we showed ‘The Color Purple,’ because nobody had seen it on the big screen in years,” Hobble said. “And it was popular.”

Hobble said the Union’s mission was simple.

“We try to keep students entertained and informed,” he said.