By James Bonner
Staff Writer
With the new semester comes new changes to the student center, Hillwood Commons. From office relocations and new
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“We’re pretty confident that people are going to want to buy more school spirit stuff in order to sort of renew their wardrobe, so we thought we’d put [Shark Nation] in a more prominent spot that you can see when you walk in the building,” Michael Berthel, executive dean of students, said
This new store is not the only new addition to Hillwood. The entrance itself has also been renovated. And when students walk in, they will notice the new blue paint surrounding locations like the concierge desk.
There is a new Greek Life Center called the Pavilion, an Asian cuisine restaurant called Bamboo, a mini student gym called
Berthel helped direct the implementation of these new additions. The changes will allow for more activity diversity in the
“We really sat back and looked at where everything is situated, what makes the best use of space and we came up with a plan that would really create a more vibrant Hillwood Commons for the fall,” Berthel said. The Student Body Boutique has been moved to the first floor, where Pioneer Nation used to be located. The
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Student-run businesses will still be controlled by students in daily operations. According to Berthel, 50 percent of proceeds go back to students scholarship and 50 percent goes to building more student-run businesses. “[It’s purpose is] to continue to allow students to run businesses, help create new businesses and have experiential learning and that model is still very much the mission of the
The old space that was occupied by the Promise Office is now a Greek Life center called the Pavilion. “Obviously Greek Life makes up a huge part of our campus life experience, so we really wanted to give them a dedicated space. That community has grown immensely over the last few years by design,” Berthel said.
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Greek Life students will have swipe access with their LIU ID cards to gain access to the Pavillion. Though there are plans to open the space to the entire campus community during the fall semester, according to Vernace. “Every December we have an annual tradition, it’s our Post Goes Greek Day,” Berthel said
Other changes on the second floor include new furniture for the lounge area, along with a restructuring of the plaza at the front entrance of Hillwood.
“While I think Hillwood becoming more activity-focused is good and needed, due to a lack of student activity on the weekends, I do not feel like another gym is the correct option, especially since its replacing the store that had student-designed clothes.” Students will swipe their card when they check in with a student worker at the
Another change is the Esports arena moving next to the Pavilion on the second floor, allowing the team for more space and better computers and other equipment, according to Berthel.

Berthel explained that one of the reasons Twisted Taco is now removed was because of how expensive it was. Even though Bamboo will serve sushi, the sushi station will still be present in the Hillwood Cafe. Aramark employees will continue to work in
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