Over a year and almost $1 million after plans started brewing, the Graham Center game room on Florida International University’s Modesto Maidique campus by Alamazar’s and Chili’s reopened on the first day of the spring semester, Jan.9.
The renovation was paid for by the university’s Student Government Association.
The first week of the game room’s reopening was packed to max capacity with people lining up for their turn on the two Ping-Pong and three pool tables.
“When I came into office I was thinking about ways to enhance student life, to enhance our student experience,” said Alexander Rubido, former SGA president, “The student government predominantly works to serve the students’ best interests, so that’s what I came here to do.”
Rubido led the project with architects and engineers who meticulously thought through every component and executed the facelift to the game room.
Rubido’s mission was to modernize the game room with an open floor plan allowing students to interact with each other, and creating a better student life experience.
“The game room has definitely had an impact on students’ mental health and well-being.” said Rubido. “Having a place where you can go to decompress from stress and academic life in a university is critical for a well-rounded student experience.”
SGA reached out to students before the project was started to find what games they liked the most and what they thought needed improvement.
“I love the new renovations to this new game room and it’s already so packed,” said Mia Mason, an FIU employee, “I enjoy this vibey new room and look forward to coming here to chill and hang out between classes.”
