Natali Student Center

California University of Pennsylvania Elmo Natali Student Center
The Natali Student Center at California University of Pennsylvania
Former names	California Memorial Union
Alternative names	The union
General information
Type	Student union
Location	Washington County, Pennsylvania
Town or city	California, PA
Country	United States
Construction started	1969
Completed	1970
Renovated	1992
Cost	$1.65 million
Renovation cost	$8.1 million
Technical details
Floor count	4
Lifts/elevators	2
Design and construction
Architecture firm	Williams, Trebilcock and Whitehead (WTW)
Main contractor	Nello Construction Company
Awards and prizes	Associated Builders and Contractors of Western PA Project of the Year AS&U Educational Interiors Showcase Silver Citation
Website
http://www.calu.edu/current-students/get-involved/student-center/index.htm

Associated Builders and Contractors of Western PA Project of the Year

The Elmo Natali Student Center, commonly referred to as The Union, is the student union building centrally located on the campus of California University of Pennsylvania (CALU). Originally built in 1968, and renovated and expanded in 1992, the Natali Student Center is home to a large variety of student facilities and activities.

Groundbreaking to begin a 40,000-square-foot addition and 60,000-square-feet of renovations to the Center took place on May 20, 2013. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based WTW Architects is the architect of record while Nello Construction, headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, is serving as the general contractor. The four-level facility will undergo a transformation to create a central public space for the CALU campus. The two main lobbies located on each end of the building will be replaced with a rotunda, stretching 50 to 60 feet in diameter. This will serve as the central gathering place. In addition, the updated facility will include collaborative tech stations (or "collaboration pods"), in which small groups of students can work together on projects.

The Center’s updates will also accommodate CALU’s new food service program which features electronic ordering as well as sustainable dining. Sustainability will be accomplished through the use of energy efficient equipment as well as purchasing local produce. The project renovation is expected to be completed by July 2015.

The Natali Student Center is named for former Vice President of Student Services, Elmo Natali, whose connection with the university spans more than 50 years. Natali first came to Cal when he transferred from Virginia Tech in the early 1950s and he remained until his retirement in 1992. Although he was a star running back, an all American, and a record holder for yards rushed in a single season (over 1,000), Natali is best remembered as a popular Vice President of Student Affairs. During the turbulent Vietnam and Civil Rights years, Natali was loved and respected by all students, but particularly Cal's growing population of African- American students who knew him as an ally, mentor, and friend. Natali's student-centered legacy lives on today in the Elmo Natali Student Center.

California Memorial Union building plans revealed. The plans include a cafeteria, snack bar, two dark rooms, two radio stations, and a billiard room. Students are expected to pay $10 a semester. The building is designed by Pittsburgh architect, Norman Frey. Estimates for building costs are approximately $1 million.

Groundbreaking ceremonies of California Memorial Student Union are held. The cost is approximately $1,398,210.00 to build and $277,000 to furnish. The General State Authority will cover most of the costs, with the exception of air conditioning, carpeting, and kitchen equipment, which would be paid out of the Student Activities Capital Fund, covers the costs.