<p>It looks like construction on a new Student Center will begin in late 2007 and involve the demolition of Topping Student Center and Commons. There seems to be concern that this upheaval will be a challenge for dining services, as Upper and Lower Commons are incredibly popular during lunch time hours.</p>
<p>Also, I imagine that such a large construction project in the center of campus will be very disruptive.</p>
<p>I believe that this is a separate project from the Athletic/Student Heath center that is supposed to be constructed at the northwest corner of campus in place of the Lyon Center.</p>
<p>Topping/Commons seem like such nice buildings. I hope they've at least considered the possibility of just adding the Campus Center somewhere, instead of replacing existing bulidings with it.</p>
<p>As far as the food goes, I agree-- Commons is the only place to get food. In any case, USC really needs to improve the food quality at EVK and Parkside. They've improved a lot in recent years, but not nearly enough. EVK has a bucket of honey sitting in a random location-- the only honey you can get there-- and there was a dead fly floating on it the last time I tried to use it.</p>
<p>bah...the engineering part of campus puts up with construction all the time. I had to take the strangest detours to get around the construction of Tudor hall every day for months...</p>
<p>Plus, anyone who's ever navigated commons or topping must realize the crazy labyrinth that they have there...for example why do you have to go <em>outside</em> to get upstairs??</p>
<p>I guess spacing being at a premium, USC decided that the new building would have to go in place of Topping and Commons. There aren't many other sites that would work, and the center of campus is really the best place for such a building.</p>
<p>If I read the article correctly, I understand that the Student Union (STU) building will be left intact. After all, it's a historic building on campus. Perhaps the new center will wrap around the STU building?</p>
<p>From what I've seen on Topping, the building is in fair condition but doesn't meet the needs of all the different organizations that try to meet there.</p>
<p>Upstairs Commons is functional but not the most inspiring example of architecture on campus. I think Downstairs Commons needs a major overhaul. Besides the brand-new Malibu Subs, the other areas just feel dark and dirty. The grid of mirrors around the seating area is also just bizarre. </p>
<p>While the dining halls could always be improved, I think the real issue is for commuter students who need a quick meal. If you don't have a meal plan, it's at least $10 to get into EVK, making it a very poor lunch value.</p>
<p>This is exciting. The weekends are really dead sometimes, and if there was a central place for everyone to go...that might really improve things.</p>