Community Asked to Take Bone Student Center Survey

Illinois State is seeking community-wide input to help the University determine the most appropriate vision for how the Bone Student Center best contributes to the University's mission.

"Uptown Normal is in the midst of a complete makeover, Downtown Bloomington is considering options for further change and Illinois State University is building a new Student Fitness and Kinesiology and Recreation building on Main Street," said University President Al Bowman. "The Bone Student Center is truly a focal point for community and campus interaction, and we want to make sure the facility remains positioned to welcome and serve all of its varied constituencies."

A task force appointed to study and address change at the Student Center has developed an online survey to gather citizen's input. The survey can be found at https://survey.lilt.ilstu.edu/TakeSurvey.shtmlx?SurveyID=l2KJ6m2K. Printed surveys can be obtained at the Normal Public Library, Bloomington Public Library or Milner Library.

"The Bone Student Center is used by Illinois State students, faculty and staff members, but it also gets considerable attention from the community at large," said Division of Student Affairs Vice President Steve Adams. "Feedback from local citizens, combined with on-campus research, will help our task force determine the future look and function of the Student Center."

The task force has conducted focus groups to begin the process of hearing what community and campus groups would like to see updated, enhanced or changed at the 36-year-old facility. The task force is also researching similar projects in other university communities across the country.

Bone Student Center/Braden Auditorium, opened in 1973, has had no major remodeling or additions. There are 13 building meeting spaces, including conference rooms and a 3,500-seat auditorium. Those spaces are used in about 4,000 events annually, with more than 1.5 million visitors to the building each year.

McAlister's Deli, Burger King, Pizza Hut Express, Freshens and a coffee shop provide food and beverage service in the building. The Center also hosts Tech Zone, the Student Involvement Center, Leadership and Service Center, the ISU Credit Union, Barnes and Noble College Bookstore, the Redbird Card Office and Pip Printing.

Entertainers such as Bill Cosby, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Foxworthy and many others have enlivened audiences in Bone Student Center/Braden Auditorium.