In July I uploaded an entry about how the new Multipurpose Activity Center (MAC) was almost completed at Monmouth University. Since I was on campus yesterday doing some last minute paperwork before the new semester starts, I stopped by the new MAC building and it is really amazing. First of all, the building is gigantic – much bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside. Part of this visual illusion is due to a portion of the building being located behind the existing Boylan Gymnasium. However, once you are inside of the building you’re able to walk around the entire perimeter (which I did not do, but was told so by a fellow employee).

The new bookstore is very nice and if I’m not mistaken it looks like there are now runners to grab the students’ books. That’s what a lot of the bigger bookstores at the bigger campuses have been doing for a while and it’s nice to see Monmouth making that improvement to their system. I walked down to the new fitness center and it was very impressive. For those of you who live in the area – the floor space in the new fitness center is comparable to the first floor space of the workout area in the Gold’s Gym on the beach in Long Branch. The walls are all still white and bare, but I’m sure that they have some plan to doll the place up a bit.

Outside of the MAC building is a different story, though. A gigantic portion of the commuter lot is in the process of being paved over, so I hope that the paving is complete in time for the Freshman and upper class move-ins. If not, it could get pretty messy…

All in all, I was very impressed with the new MAC building. The introduction of this building along with the still relatively new Plangere Center and McAllen Hall position Monmouth, I think, with a much more academic and student-friendly atmosphere than it has been in the past.

The stupidity is truly breathtaking.

Again, for those of you that know me, there are a dozen or so more reasons why I don’t miss being an undergraduate at Monmouth (stuffy English professors, horrendous parking, a rained-out graduation, etc), but I have to admit that it is sort of cool to see the new Multipurpose Activity Center (MAC) coming to life on the campus.

Maybe it’s because I graduated six years ago and I am, by and large, “over” many of the issues from my college days, but I’m glad to see the new MAC towering over the commuter lot. I spent a lot of time as an undergraduate being an unofficial ambassador of the university (I say unofficial because the school doesn’t recognize Greeks who attend national events in the name of their school as ambassadors – go figure). I would travel to national and regional events which almost always took place near other universities of Monmouth’s size and I would see their gigantic sports centers. Then I’d go back home to Monmouth and see the Boylan Gymnasium and get a bit let down at the whole thing.

Monmouth was always capable of so much more and having the MAC almost completed – only a few years after two brand new academic buildings were constructed – proves that fact. Once the new dorm is in place and a few other projects are completed, Monmouth will be well on its way to being the campus that is should be. Of course the university still has to figure out legitimate Greek housing, but for the time being I’ll be glad with the MAC and the two new academic buildings.

Some more on the MAC from the Asbury Park Press:

Fitness center flooring and equipment is due at any moment, the second floor six-lane track has been laid, and third floor luxury suites are awaiting furniture. All 19 Monmouth athletic teams have locker rooms in the MAC. “”In the locker rooms the lockers are being installed,” Cornero said. “”We’re pretty close to finishing here.” Landscaping outside the glass door entrances is expected to be complete for the building’s official fall opening. Redshirt senior guard Whitney Coleman, who reported he has been cleared to play after suffering an opening night knee injury last season, said there’s much anticipation for when the teams will be able to run onto the court for the first time. ”Everybody wants to be the first person to come in here, late at night, get some shots up,” Coleman said. “”It’s a race to see who gets here first. We’re all really excited.”

Sounds like a good time. You never know – I might actually look into season tickets for the basketball team now…