History of the UF Division of Student Affairs | Page 103

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the visual arts, Madrigal Dinners, and non-credit courses. The building was
decorated with major art pieces including art work and sculptures. Expanded
meeting areas provided much needed assembly space for greater numbers of
student organizations.
In 1986, Bill Rion retired after serving as the Union Director for 38 years. Rion
had started working at the Florida Union as a student assistant in the soda shop,
worked his way up to a student manager position, and was offered a full-time
position upon graduating. Following his retirement, the Reitz Union Board of
Managers voted to name the ballroom in Rion’s honor.
In 1986, Dave Kratzer was named Union Director. Shortly thereafter, the Reitz
Union Program Council (RUPC) was formed to continue the tradition of involving
students in choosing and implementing activities and programs at the Union.
This council, later renamed the Reitz Union Board (RUB), continues to offer
various types of programs including films, musical performances, art exhibits,
late night programming and special events.
There have been several additions and renovations to the 1967 Reitz Union
building over the years. In 1975, an unfinished area in the basement was
converted to meeting rooms, and the Orange and Brew was built in what had
been a storage room beneath the colonnade. In 1984, an outdoor terrace was
added to the Orange and Brew. In 1991, meeting rooms were constructed above
the Colonnade, a retail mini-mall was added to the south terrace area, and a onestory atrium addition was constructed on the west side of the building to expand
the Career Resource Center. In 1992, a similar atrium was added to expand the
Game Room. In 1994, a three-phase renovation and expansion project began. In
phase I, the Cafeteria/Snack Bar was converted to a Food Court, and opened in
August 1995. In 1996, a 17,000 square foot addition was built as the new home
of the Career Resource Center. In 1998, the third phase of the project relocated
the Arts and Crafts Center to the basement, added a new hotel guest desk at
the west entrance of the ground floor, added a new stairway and entrance to the
ground floor from the North Lawn, and a substantial renovation to the ground
floor to create spaces for four new retail operations. In 2002, the 14,000 square
feet Grand Ballroom was completed.
The UF Bookstore, Welcome Center, and parking garage complex were built
adjacent to the Reitz Union and opened in 2003, including a Food Court
expansion which created a connection between the facilities. The combined
Reitz Union and Bookstore/Welcome Center complex encompassed over
513,000 square feet.
Depa rtment histor ies : Reitz Un ion