Linfield University is preparing to unveil a transformative addition to campus life in the distant future: a brand-new Student Center, driven by $300,000 from the Associated Students of Linfield University (ASLU) and shaped by the voices of the students themselves.
Diego Arredondo, a senior majoring in accounting and finance and former ASLU Vice President of Finance, explained that ASLU’s contribution is intended to create a vibrant and central space for students to gather, connect and participate in campus life.
“We saw the need for a space that really brought students together, a place where you could hang out, attend events or just relax between classes,” Arredondo said. “The Student Center is about creating that sense of community and giving students a hub they can call their own.”
Sophomore Reese Jennings, ASLU’s current student body president, explains how he was also amazed by the donations made to the student center.
“When I first learned about ASLU’s donation for the student center project, I realized how significant this was,” Jennings said.
While this grand donation will fulfill many desires among students for on-campus life and comfort, many wonder where ASLU received the funds for this large-scale project.
“After the COVID year, ASLU had unspent funds, and last year’s President, VP, ASLU Cabinet and Senate decided the best use of these funds would be to support the student center project,” Jennings said.
Arredondo also provided insight into how more than $300,000 will go to the creation of the new student center.
“The $300,000 was accumulated over COVID due to ASLU’s lack of spending over that period. Linfield agreed to match our $300,000 deposit一a total of $600,000 donated,” Arredondo said.
The vision for the Student Center was informed by a study conducted by Credo, which gathered feedback directly from students. The results revealed several key desires.
Students expressed a need for a lively social space that would be active throughout the day and accessible 24 hours, providing a safe, convenient place on campus where they wouldn’t need to venture downtown to socialize. Many also wanted freedom and autonomy in the space, with some even suggesting the ability to personalize it—such as having the freedom to paint a wall.
While Linfield already has well-functioning spaces for student success and business scattered across campus, including Linfield’s very own Student Union building, Riley Hall, Credo’s study suggested that the Student Center should focus on offering alternative food options to Dillon Hall.
The Credo study highlighted how students have requested late-night food venues and casual dining options, potentially featuring a bar that could transition from a daytime coffee shop.
All of these features and more were identified in ASLU’s student survey as top priorities for the new student center.
While the project’s timeline remains uncertain among past and present ASLU members, it is clear that the Student Center will be a long-awaited addition to campus life at Linfield. Arredondo remains optimistic about its potential, even though he will graduate before its completion.
“I imagine it will continue to evolve,” Arredondo said. “But I will be gone by then, so I cannot say for sure.”
The Student Center promises to be a key component in fostering a stronger, more connected community at Linfield, offering both a social and functional space for students to enjoy for years to come.
