From Cranston Hall to University Commons

Since 1961 when Cranston Hall opened, it served millions of meals to students, staff, faculty, and guests of the campus. Alumni remember the two-story structure as more than just a dining hall - it was also used for meetings, dances, receptions, banquets and catering. Students named the building after Mary Cranston, a much beloved administrator who was dean of women from 1928 to 1949.

The dream to expand Cranston Hall as a hub for modern student life began on campus in the late 1990s under the leadership of President Dennis L. Hefner. Plans came together at the turn of the millennium when a partnership was forged that involved financial participation from three entities: the Fredonia Faculty Student Association ($13 million), the Office of Residence Life ($5.2 million) and the State University of New York Construction Fund ($5 million). Additionally, the dedicated backing in Albany by local state legislators ensured the project was placed into the New York State budget.

Cranston Hall's original shape was preserved by Kideney Architects. They designed the main entryway to the residence hall lobby as if the southwest corner of Cranston extended continously to the new northeast face of the addition. Today, Cranston Dining Center is but one component of this new first-class facility.

Now home to 124 students, University Commons is the first residence hall to be built on campus since 1970. It is also home to other showcase, state-of-the-art facilities, including "The Cranston Marche" where food is prepared to order; the spacious Campus Bookstore; a convenience store; and the celebrated Starbucks, part of the international chain of premium coffee shops.

SUNY Fredonia marked its anticipation of the new building with a groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 22, 2004. Immediately afterward, President Hefner announced a campus-wide contest to name the new multi-use facility. He appointed a committee that included Distinguished Service Professor Franklin Krohn and two students, Jessica Albright and Melissa Dimartino.

The committee selected six names and submitted them to the President's Cabinet. The name, "University Commons," was selected and announced in November 2004.

University Commons	Starbucks	Interior Staircase	Cranston Marché	Second Floor
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