Student Government Initiatives
FACiLiTiES
1994
Opened the Student Activity Centre, affectionately known as The Shark Tank Pub.
The “social, cultural, and recreational heart of the entire campus”.
This began as a dream for the Student Government in 1988-99 and from 1989-1992, close to $100,000 was set aside in reserves to build the facility. A referendum was held in 1992-93 with 86% of students voting in favour of constructing a Student Centre. Approval was received in 1993 from the Loyalist College Board of Governors as well as the Minister of Education and Training who was “pleased to note the level of cooperation between management and students at Loyalist College towards making this project a reality.”
Additional enhancements have been made to the Student Centre for students:
1995-96: Constructed an outdoor patio and installed a state-of-the-art dance floor lighting system.
1996-97: Held a “Name The Pub” contest and a student won tickets to a U2 concert in Toronto for suggesting “The Shark Tank Pub”.
1998-99: Landscaped the patio area by adding a rock garden with shrubs, lilacs, roses and other plants.
2002-03: Installed a staircase to provide students with direct access to and from the second floor by the Parrott Centre Lobby.
2009-10: Celebrated the 15th Anniversary of the Shark Tank Pub with renovations to the bar as well as a mega Birthday Bash.
2010-11: Updated the men’s and women’s washrooms, recovered the staircase and added new treads, replaced the tube televisions with plasmas and also installed new modern light panels above the pool tables.
2012-13: Added new furniture in which the students selected the style and material through an online survey.
2019-20: Created a special week of programming to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Shark Tank Pub.
2007
Held a Grand Opening to showcase new and improved areas for students.
The Student Government created two new spaces—the Cafeteria Lounge as well as the Lancer Lounge.
The upholstery was updated in various seating areas on campus. The two Quiet Lounges on either side of Alumni which the Student Government established in 1999-00 received a refresh including new furniture and décor. The Student Government dedicated one lounge to John Rigsby, the Vice-President of Corporate Services and CFO for 14 years and the other lounge to Nancy Rabb, a Counselor and Registrar for 21 years. Both Quiet Lounges received new furniture in 2011-12 and in 2012-13, new electrical pull-down receptacles, as well as magnetic glass whiteboards, were added.
The Student Government creates so many spaces for students to collaborate, relax and study:
2005-06:
Added lounge furnishings in the Lobby Area between the Library and Student Access Lab.Added outdoor seating at the front entrance and bus shelter as well as outside the Cafeteria and Student Centre.
2016-17: Created various seating areas in the Pioneer Building and the Skills Centre Second Floor by adding lounge furniture as well as tables and chairs.
2011-12: Added bike racks, benches and garbage receptacles to improve the outdoor atmosphere.
2012-13: Created a new outdoor rink based on student feedback from past surveys.
2013-14: Created the Skills Centre Lounge by adding various seating areas on the second floor of the Skills Centre.
2017: Opened a new Spiritual Room by transforming one of the Quiet Lounges into a peaceful and quiet space for individuals to meditate, reflect or pray.
2017: Opened the Third Floor Student Lounge and Study Room with a giant whiteboard wall to brainstom/doodle. The Student Government held a Name Your Student Space contest to win Taylor Swift tickets. 10 students suggested “The Beehive”. In 2018-19, The Beehive was expanded by creating additional seating areas and another meeting room on the third floor.
2018-19: Refreshed furniture in outdoor spaces including the front entrance of the Kente Building and the Dining Hall patio.
2008—2009
Renovated the Pioneer Cafe.
Updated seating and add a new lounge space.
Further enhancements have been made to the Pioneer Café:
2017: Opened the new and improved Pioneer Café which was expanded and renovated to create two separate zones of activity – a lively, energetic café as well as a quieter area for study.
2013
Opened the new Dining Hall.
Transformed the existing Cafeteria into for different seating areas to better accommodate the varied needs of the Loyalist community—dining, lounge café and bistro.