With the number of active student organizations at Baker, meaningful additions to the campus are nothing out of the ordinary. One of the biggest transformations was in the basement of the Union. 

The Den was “a meeting space for student organizations…but was not very hospitable,” says Gavin Curless, the Director of Student Life. “The goal was to make the space more enticing for students.”

More enticing it became, “With a new layout, new furniture, and a mural done by Aalia Khan as a part of the Class of 2025 senior gift.” The Student Senate and Student Life put in the hours over the summer to make sure that no time was lost once students arrived in August. 

As with every change to the campus, trade offs have to be made. The “Student Senate was willing to work with us to upgrade the space, even though it meant losing their meeting space and having to relocate.” says Curless. Thanks to them, the Den has turned into a more accommodating space for everybody. 

So what’s in the Union Den? Among the new furniture and art piece, a TV and the pop-a-shot, featured during Kobe Day, fill the space. “It was useful before, but could be useful while also being more exciting.” voiced Curless. 

The Union Den is a space for everybody to use for whatever reasons you may have. Whether you’re looking for a place to study or somewhere to bring the friend group, there’s no doubt the Union Den will quickly become the place to be. “I’m just waiting for students to find it and get to using it!”