Washington University in St. Louis :: Danforth University Center

What is The William H. and Elizabeth Gray Danforth University Center (the “DUC”)?

The three-story, 116,000-square-foot facility, named in honor of Chancellor Emeritus William H. and the late Elizabeth (Ibby) Gray Danforth, is constructed entirely in the Collegiate Gothic style. It features dining areas, lounges, meeting rooms, and offices for student leaders and student services professional staff. We’ve planned the building to be a gathering place not only for students, but also for the entire community -- faculty, staff, friends, parents, alumni/ae, and visitors.

Who are the Danforths and why are the building and the main campus named after them?

The Danforth name has made an indelible imprint on Washington University -- from William H. Danforth, an 1892 WUSTL graduate who established the Danforth Foundation in 1927; to his son, Donald Danforth, who served as chair of the Danforth Foundation from 1955-1965; to a grandson Bill (also named William H. Danforth) who served as chancellor of the University for 24 years (1971-1995); to another grandson, John C. Danforth, who chaired the Danforth Foundation upon his 1997 retirement after 18 years as Missouri’s U.S. senator and later as ambassador to the United Nations; to their sister Dorothy Danforth Miller, who has had a life-long interest in supporting education; to their late brother, Donald Danforth, Jr., a 1955 WUSTL graduate who was executive vice president of Ralston Purina and a St. Louis civic leader.

Known as “Uncle Bill” and “Chan Dan” by students, Chancellor William H. Danforth and his late wife, Elizabeth Gray Danforth, or Ibby, knew many students by name because of the countless campus events they attended and supported. You can learn more about them at http://danforthuniversitycenter.wustl.edu/danforth.html

What’s in the DUC?

There are places to hang out after a tough day of classes, places to hold student group meetings and new choices for dining. And because of its central location, it is easily accessible on a daily basis.

The many and varied common areas, as well as meeting spaces, make it easy for everyone to find a place they like within the building, or they can enjoy one of the three courtyards that surround the Center.

The building houses The Career Center, event services and center management offices, The Graduate Center, and the offices of the undergraduate student government, Student Union. There are also studios for media groups such as the student-run television station (WUTV) and a recording studio. Offices for the Student Life newspaper, the Hatchet yearbook, and other print media are included. The DUC has office space for Campus Life, the department that oversees student activities, Greek life, community service, and others.

What architect designed the DUC? What construction company built the DUC?

The facility was designed by the architects Tsoi/Kobus and Associates of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and built by Clayco of St. Louis. Communication Arts, Inc. of Boulder, Colorado, designed three dining areas and the center’s “fun room.” The construction was supported in part by a gift from the Danforth Foundation. To date, A.G. Edwards and the Harry Edison Foundation also have provided leadership gifts for the project. Additional fundraising efforts are ongoing to provide the resources needed for the building.

Were students involved in the design of the DUC?

Students have been involved in the design of the DUC since its inception and they continue to be involved today. For example, University administrators took a group of student leaders to the Boulder, Colorado, headquarters of Communication Arts, Inc. to be involved in a charrette that resulted in the concept and design of the Center’s “fun room.” The style and menus of the eateries in the DUC were chosen based upon student input.

How accessible is the DUC to people with disabilities?

The Danforth University Center has been designed to comply fully with all requirements for accessibility to buildings and facilities by individuals with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

I heard the DUC is “LEED Gold Certified.” What does that mean?

The building has been designed as a green structure, to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-NC Gold certified, in accordance with standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). You can learn more about LEED and the USGBC at their Web site: http://www.usgbc.org/. The DUC has improved water and energy use efficiencies exceeding state and federal codes. Construction has included the use of many recycled products and materials and about 75 percent of the construction waste is being recycled and not ending up in a landfill.

When will the DUC be open for use by the campus community? Is there a grand opening ceremony planned?

The William H. and Elizabeth Gray Danforth University Center is scheduled to open for use by the campus community before the start of the fall 2008 semester. A grand opening ceremony will be held during the spring 2009 semester.

Will there be tours of the DUC for interested members of the campus community and visitors?

Guided tours of the DUC will be held periodically during the fall 2008 semester. Please check the DUC Web site for further details.

If someone wants to donate to the University in support of the DUC, how would he or she go about doing that?

While a number of alumni/ae and other friends of the University have been very generous in their support of the Danforth University Center, additional fund-raising efforts are ongoing to help provide the resources needed for the building. Interested donors can contact Sherry Smith at 314-935-5184 or via email at Sherry_Smith@wustl.edu for additional information.

What are the building hours for the DUC?

The normal operating hours of the DUC likely will be 7:00 a.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., Friday and Saturday. Hours may be adjusted to accommodate special events or University vacation and summer schedules.

Is there an information desk in the DUC to help visitors find offices, meetings, and other functions? What are its hours of operation?

Yes. An information desk is located right inside the main (south, facing Forsyth Blvd.) first-floor entrance to the building. It is staffed during the normal operating hours of the building. In addition, numerous building directories and video screens are located throughout the building to help visitors learn what’s going on in the building and how to get to their destinations within the building.

Is there wireless Internet access in the DUC? Do I need a username and password to sign on? Is there a charge?

Wireless Internet access, or WiFi (IEEE 802.11b/g), is available throughout the building. As is the case for all WiFi access on the Washington University campus, you need to use your user name and password to access WiFi in the DUC. There is no charge for using WiFi in the DUC.

Is there public computer access in the DUC? How about printing? Is there a charge?

There are a number of public computer workstations located throughout the DUC for use by visitors for short periods, such as checking their e-mail and confirming flight reservations. These are available to users without charge. Selected workstations allow users limited printing privileges, for example, to print boarding passes, also without charge.

Are any computer games available in the DUC? Is there a charge for using them? Are there any time limits on using the games? Are the games available to people who are not part of the WUSTL community?

A number of computer games are available in the fun room on the second floor of the building (room 243). There is no charge for using them. However, you may be requested to provide your University ID or driver’s license as a deposit for checking out accessories, such as game controllers. Games are available to anyone who visits the building, including people who are not members of the campus community. We will not permit users of the games to monopolize them if others are waiting. We also expect that there may be times when the games and gaming facilities in the fun room will be used for tournaments or other such special events and will not be generally available during those times.

Are there vending machines in the DUC? What forms of payment do they accept?

There are six vending machines located in the DUC: three on the second floor and three on the third floor. The vending machines accept coins, cash, and the University’s Campus Card.

Are there copiers for public use in the DUC?

Copiers for public use are located in Mallinckrodt Student Center, just to the east of the Danforth University Center. They accept coins, cash, and the University’s Campus Card. Furthermore, FedEx Kinko’s Copy Center is located in Mallinckrodt.

Is there an ATM in the DUC?

There is a full-service ATM located in Mallinckrodt Student Center, just to the east of the Danforth University Center. A branch office of Bank of America is also located in Mallinckrodt.

Why are there showers in the DUC? Where are they?

There are two shower stalls in private rooms on the second floor of the Danforth University Center, rooms 248A and B. The shower stall in room 248B is handicapped accessible. The showers are provided as a convenience to encourage users of the DUC to use alternate means of transportation, such as bicycles and walking.

Is there a nursing station in the DUC?

Yes. If they prefer, mothers may nurse their children in privacy in our nursing station on the third floor of the DUC, room 304.

I have a great idea for something to include in the DUC. Whom should I tell?

As all parts of the University, the DUC is dynamic and ever changing. We’re always looking for ideas on how to improve it. Please pass any ideas you have on to us at DanforthUniversityCenter@wustl.edu

Are discarded materials – “waste” -- collected in the DUC recycled?

Absolutely! Consistent with the University’s policies on recycling (http://www.ceq.wustl.edu/recycling.htm), discarded materials are recycled to the greatest extent feasible, and we are always looking for new ways to improve our recycling program. Please let us know if you have ideas for us.

What if there’s an emergency (for example, someone faints or gets sick)? Whom do I call and how do I call them? Will they know where the DUC is and where I am?

Responding to an emergency that may occur in the DUC is no different from responding to an emergency at any other on-campus location. Dial 5-5555 from any campus phone, or dial (314) 935-5555 from your cell phone.

Will the DUC be used during the Vice Presidential Debate in fall 2008?

The debate venue for the 2008 Vice Presidential Debate will be the Athletic Complex, as it has been in the past when WUSTL has hosted Presidential Debates. (This is the fifth consecutive time the University has been selected to host a debate. Washington University is the only institution to host more than two debates.) However, we believe that the DUC will be the location of numerous exciting events and activities surrounding the Vice Presidential Debate on October 2, 2008. Stay tuned!

What meeting rooms are available in the DUC? What are their capacities for various seating configurations? What audio-visual (AV) equipment is located in each meeting room? Are technicians available to help operate the equipment during scheduled meetings and other events?

You can view and download a pdf file of all the meeting rooms that are available, along with their capacities for different seating arrangements, by clicking here. There’s a standard set of AV equipment, including a digital projector and ports for connecting sound and video from a laptop computer. The DUC staff includes a media manager who is available to be sure that the equipment is in working order for each scheduled event and that users are familiar with its operation. We are not able to provide a staff member to operate the equipment during meetings or other gatherings; that is the responsibility of the group using the space.

Which rooms or other spaces in the DUC can a group reserve?

Besides the meeting rooms, groups may reserve certain other public spaces for occasional special events, as long as that use doesn’t provide frequent or significant inconvenience to the campus community in using the public spaces in the DUC. The policies and procedures that apply to reserving and using them are available through Washington University Event Services; their Web site is http://eventservices.wustl.edu/

How do I reserve a room or other space? How far in advance do I need to reserve a room or other space? Who is eligible to reserve a meeting room or another part of the DUC?

The policies and procedures for reserving space in the DUC are available through Washington University Event Services. Their Web site is http://eventservices.wustl.edu/

Can I reserve a room for a personal or non-University function such as a wedding reception, birthday party, bridal shower, meeting of a group not affiliated with the University, etc.? Are there any restrictions on the purpose for which I can reserve a room for a private function? How much does it cost? Is a cleaning deposit or some other deposit required? Is there any limit to the number of times a group can reserve a room?

The policies and procedures for reserving space in the DUC are available through Washington University Event Services. Their Web site is http://eventservices.wustl.edu/

Is the piano in the formal lounge locked or is it available whenever the building is open?

The piano is the formal lounge (room 278) is normally unlocked. We do ask that those who play be respectful of the rights of others to use that room as a generally quiet space.

My musical group wants to use the recording studio to make a CD. How can we do that? Is there any staff support available to help us? Is there a charge?

The recording studio is primarily for the use of student groups. Please contact the DUC media manager to arrange to use the recording studio.

What’s the “Fun Room” and what can I do there?

A focal point of the building is the second-floor “fun room,” designed by Communication Arts, Inc. with input from students. It includes garage doors that can be raised and lowered, movable furniture, chalkboard walls, and high-tech audio-video equipment. Its uses are limited only by your imagination.

Can my group charge admission to an event held in the DUC?