My Name is What? 
The future student center is still without a name

By Chelsea Einerwold
Staff Writer
Posted 4-7-09

Machinery roars and hammers pound as the contractors continue to work on the new student center. A less tangible task is being undertaken by the Rothwell Student Center Board as the group works on coming up with a name for the new building.

The Rothwell Student Center Board is comprised of nine voting members: six students (three of which are appointed by the University Student Senate, the Vice President of the Student Senate, a member of the Residence Hall Association and a member of the Yellowjacket Activities Crew), two UW-Superior faculty/staff, and the Director of Rothwell Student Center. This board develops policies and deals with issues concerning contractual services, program development, building improvements, and marketing for the student center. They work closely with, and report to, the Student Senate.

Rothwell Student Center Director Gail Archambault said the group has been brainstorming for a suitable title for the new building and has even formed a bigger working group that includes a number of other students and staff who work in the RSC to aid in the decision. The focus has been on coming up with a name that encompasses all people on campus, is simple, and has potential for marketing.

“We as a group have been talking…do we call it a union? A center?” said Archambault. She noted that the group has been leaning toward using “union” in the building’s name because of what the word stands for.

According to the website of the Association of College Unions International (ACUI), of which UW-Superior is a member, a union is the “living room” of a college campus. It is a communal place that should serve all who set foot on university grounds, not just students.

“We want [the new building] to be special; the special, unique place on campus. When I think of ‘center,’ we already have multiple centers on campus. The Health and Wellness Center, the Writing Center, Career Services Center, etc. ‘Union’ would set us apart,” said Archambault.

“Yellowjacket Union” is a title the Student Center Board members, along with members of the temporary working group, are seriously considering. At a meeting on Friday, March 27th they decided that each member would ask around campus in the next couple of weeks to get an idea of how people feel about “Yellowjacket Union.” Archambault said it is just a way to test the waters, not a scientific poll by any means.

“I support ‘Yellowjacket Union’ because it is something different than center,” said Interim Vice President of the Student Senate, Amos Tarfa. “Also, YU is a good acronym.”

Tarfa added that the group has discussed how great the suggested name would be for branding and marketing the student building. “I never really thought of that before, as someone who is a chem major, but yeah, that would be important.”

Archambault added that she thinks “Yellowjacket Union” fits because it encompasses the UWS population. “Not enough students, staff and faculty see themselves as Yellowjackets, when in fact they are. It is not just for athletics; everyone is a Yellowjacket.”

The official title of the building has not been decided upon, but Archambault hopes that by the end of the month the group will be able to pass on to the Student Senate something that the student body likes.

Vice Chancellor for Campus Life/Dean of Students, Vicki Hajewski, does like that this group is considering using “union,” and adds with a smile, “People like to talk in shorthand. ‘Union’ is easy enough.”

Hajewski noted that the process for solidifying a name will take time. “The naming of a building in the UW-System must get the Board of Regent’s approval,” she said.

Anyone who has an idea for a name for the new student building is encouraged to let Gail Archambault know. Her office is located in RSC 128 and her email address is garchamb@uwsuper.edu.

In addition, the members of the working group plan on carrying over the name “Rothwell” to the new student building by including it in the name of the student office complex. The area, which will house offices for the Student Senate, the Yellowjacket Activities Crew, the Residence Hall Association and The Stinger, will be located near the campus entrance. A proposed idea for the area is “The Rothwell Opportunity Center,” with the nickname, “The ROC.” The working group felt that it was important to carry over Angus B. Rothwell’s name because many alumni associate with it.