The Cedric Rucker University Center (CRUC)’s mission is to provide a campus center that fosters a collaborative and respectful environment where members of the UMW community can engage in their extracurricular and academic pursuits. And, eat three meals a day- or get an in-between meal snack- or more!
From private nooks for studying and socializing, to the large ballroom complete with sound and stage offerings; from the fourth-floor dining center, to a range of bookable spaces; from the many student-centric office suites, to the quiet meditation space, to a spacious lounge for off-campus students – the Cedric Rucker University Center is dedicated to student success.
This 105,685 square foot facility opened in the Fall of 2015. The Office of Events and Conferencing manages the Cedric Rucker University Center and, along with the Events AV Office and the student Concierge Services Team, supports numerous events and meetings. Please contact Ryan Imirie, the CRUC Facilities and Events Manager, with any questions, or stop by the Concierge Services Information Desk on the 2nd floor.
About the CRUC
The 1st floor of the CRUC features:
- Chandler Ballroom
- Chandler Ballroom is an extensive, dynamic event space available to the UMW community. It is ideal for large group presentations, meals for large gatherings, and parties with many attendees.
- UMW Catering and UMWDining offices and kitchens. The dining hall is on the 4th floor- see below for more information.
- Veteran’s Resource Center, Room 114A
The 2nd Floor of the CRUC features:
- Gourley Living Room and the smaller South Living Room –
- These spaces are located in the three-story atrium with a view out onto Ball Circle. Filled with comfy chairs and sofas, the Living Rooms are great for quiet reading, for gathering with friends before heading upstairs for a meal, or just hanging out. The Living Rooms are frequently reset with tables in a fair style for events sponsored by student-centric organizations such as Student Activities and Engagement, Admissions, Center for Community Engagement, and more.
- Kiosks for Tabling-
- Three Kiosks tables are located at the foot of the staircase. Kiosks are available throughout the week for student organizations to have bake sales, to advertise upcoming events, to sell tickets, etc. University departments may use them for recruiters, for giveaways, surveys, and more.
- Center for Career and Professional Development offices.
- Concierge Services Information Desk
- The Concierge Services student staff is responsible for providing on-site assistance in the CRUC (along with the Digital Auditorium, and the Underground) during weekdays, evenings, and weekends. Responsibilities include staffing the Information Desk in the CRUC and setting up rooms for events in all three areas. Staff is trained to give directions, answer questions about UMW, sell tickets for student events, check out games equipment, manage lost and found, and may provide simple technical services for events. The CRUC Facilities and Events Manager provides training and supervision. New staff are hired at the beginning of each semester as needed. If there’s a question, please ask!
- Panera Bread is located behind the stairs on the CRUC 2nd floor.
- Panera offers a wide variety of popular and innovative comfort foods, including breads and pastries baked from scratch daily. Open while fall and spring classes are in session; closed over the summer and during breaks. Panera accepts Swipes and Grubhub in addition to normal payment methods. See UMWDining for specific hours and updated menu offerings.
- Games Area
- There is an area for lounging and games, including pool, air hockey, and shuffleboard tables, in the back part of Panera. Games equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be checked out using an EagleOne Card at the Concierge Services Information Desk.
- Meditation Space
- The Meditation space, located near the Information Desk, provides students from all backgrounds and cultures a supportive and spiritually nourishing environment to pray, reflect, and relax. A quiet space dedicated to individual self-knowledge and renewal enhances the campus experience for many students. Please read the guidelines for use before reserving the space. Information Desk staff opens the room, but the JFMC manages its use and guidelines.
The 3rd floor of the CRUC features:
- Office of the Dean of Students and Student Involvement At the top of the stairs, head to the left past the large oval-shaped sofa, continue to the end of the hall, Suite 325.
- Student Activities and Engagement and New Student Programs, Suite 303. At the top of the stairs, turn right.
- James Farmer Multicultural Center, Suite 319. At the top of the stairs, turn left.
- Center for Community Engagement, Suite 320. At the top of the stairs, turn left.
- Colonnade Room, Room 315, is the CRUC’s largest meeting room. The Colonnade Room is a multi-functional space, and it can be arranged to fit of variety of needs for any event.
- Capital Room, Room 314, is the CRUC’s Boardroom. The room has a large, fixed conference table with 20 board room style chairs to add to its elegance. Additional chairs line the walls.
- UMW eSports Arena, Suite 306 At the top of the stairs, head straight past the Colonnade Room.
- With UMW esports, Mary Washington Athletics provides a vibrant co-curricular experience that will be shaped and defined by students eager to grow and compete in a burgeoning sport. Having expanded globally over the last decade, esports involves teams competing against each other in video game tournaments both face-to-face and virtually. As with any traditional competition, there are winners, losers, standings, and prizes.
- The 3rd floor also contains many reading nooks with just a few chairs and tables, or a group of lounge chairs- perfect for studying away from home or chatting with friends.
The 4th floor of the CRUC features:
- The Restaurants at the Top of the CRUC (UMWDining)
- Offers students and guests a wide array of delicious menu options in all-you-care-to-eat dining environment. Dining is open when classes are in session, but closed or on limited hours during breaks. See the UMWDining website for specific hours, menus and other detailed information.
- Maple Room, a private dining room
- Linden Terrace
- Linden has an outside balcony area with rocking chairs overlooking Ball Circle.
- The inside area surrounds the main staircase with more soft furniture and tables and chairs. Glass walls are perfect for watching out for friends as you meet at the Top of the CRUC.
- Off-Campus student lounge, Room 406A
- Equipped with couches, chairs, tables, a microwave, and other amenities.
- The space is open daily 7am – 10pm when the CRUC is open.