Stratton Student Center officially closes to students and public for renovations
The student center intended to reopen for the fall 2023 semester
The Stratton Student Center (W20) was officially closed to students and the public for renovations on Apr. 16. The center was previously closed indefinitely in February due to water pipe explosions.
Student Center Renewal
According to the Division of Student Life (DSL) website, the Stratton Student Center was opened in 1968, hosting nearly “7,000 events each year with 200,000 participants.”
Vice Chancellor and Dean for Student Life Suzy Nelson stated that the project has “galvanized alumni and friends” with the “transformational nature of the improvements we envision.”
According to Nelson, MIT envisions the renovations, when complete, will offer students “healthier eateries,” “wellbeing programming,” and a “welcoming place to study and socialize.”
Renovation Timeline
On May 1, the student center will be restricted to construction personnel. Following renovations, there will be a “phased reopening” in mid-August, with a full reopening anticipated to be by the start of the fall 2023 term.
Updates will continue to be released by the DSL as renovations continue. They have also provided relevant updates regarding food access, groceries, alternative study spaces, mail, and office relocations detailed below as well as here.
Alternative Food and Grocery Options
LaVerde’s Market, which has operated on MIT’s campus for over three decades, has permanently shuttered. In order to maintain access to “food and nutritional resources,” the DSL and MIT Dining have provided a number of alternative resources to the MIT community as described in an email on Apr. 26.
Local vendors will have food trucks outside W20 from 11:00 AM-4:30 PM Monday-Friday. Options include BibimBox, Naco Taco, Hometown Poke, and more.
Furthermore, local vendors Dumpling Daughter, Tasty Burger, and Vitality Bowls now accept MIT TechCash for a total of 14 restaurants and grocers around campus.
The MIT grocery shuttle which provides transport to Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and the Daily Table has been extended to include Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Furthermore, the DSL will cover delivery fees from the Daily Table, a local non-profit community grocer until the end of the semester on May 23.
Alternative Student Spaces
While acknowledging that “we will not be able to replace all of the space that W20 offer[s],” the DSL suggested a number of alternative study and meeting locations for students.
Classroom numbers 13-3101, 35-308, 35-310 have been reserved for “touchdown hours.” Further details on hours and availability can be found here.
Alternative options include checking for unused classrooms for “impromptu studying,” MIT Libraries, study spaces that can be reserved using MIT Atlas, Sloan study spaces, and venues listed on the Institute Events website.
Mail, Money, and MIT Offices
Mail will continue to be redirected to the 770 Massachusetts Avenue location. The DSL also recommends visiting alternative ATMs on campus hosted by the MIT Federal Credit Union.
The Student Organizations, Leadership, and Engagement; Priscilla King Gray Center; Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards; Violence Prevention & Response; and Disability and Access Service offices have also been relocated as a result of the student center closure.
These organizations can still be contacted through email. More information on office relocations and appropriate contact points can be found here.