The HUB at ULM was supposed to be a place where students could eat, study and connect. Instead, it often feels like a crowded, stressful stop on the way to class.
The HUB opened on Aug. 17, 2022, with popular chains such as Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Subway, Flip Kitchen and Sushic Sushi, as well as a mini grocery store called the POD Market. This all seemed to make it the centerpiece that campus life needed. But, in practice, the HUB is overcrowded, chaotic and far from the welcoming hub it was intended to be.
Most students come for a coffee in the mornings and the Chick-fil-A lunch rush. I have personally had to cancel orders after waiting more than 30 minutes because the lines are so long and I needed to rush to class. The workers manage the crowds as best they can, but the demand is overwhelming, and there is no system in place to manage it. An order cap, limiting the number of active orders at a time, could alleviate this problem and make dining more efficient for everyone. It could also lead to students trying something new and potentially expanding their palate.
The building itself is impressive at first glance. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls allow natural light to fill the space. But the openness also creates a sense of exposure that can be uncomfortable, and navigating the crowded tables is a challenge. The first floor is packed with seating, stairs splitting the middle of the area into the tiny second floor. The layout makes it difficult to move freely when the HUB is busy. Simple adjustments to seating arrangements could drastically improve flow and comfort.
Then there are hours. The HUB closes at 2 p.m. on Fridays, long before students finish their day or want dinner. For those who do not want to eat in the dining hall, this leaves few options. Extending hours until at least 4 p.m., when the dining hall begins dinner service, would better meet students’ needs and reinforce the HUB’s purpose as a central gathering place.
Compared to nearby universities such as Louisiana Tech and LSU, where student centers are large, inviting and operate with longer hours, the HUB falls short. It has the potential to be the heart of campus life at ULM, but right now, it is more of a convenience than a community hub. With small but meaningful changes— order management, better seating and extended hours—it could become the vibrant center it was meant to be.
