The Joe Crowley Student Union is a 165,000 square foot, “green” environmentally friendly facility designed by WTW Architects and Lundahl and Associates. This exciting new facility on the University of Nevada, Reno campus opened in November of 2007. While still complementing the campus’s Jeffersonian architecture and traditional red brick facade, the interior walls are covered with a Sierra Wall encompassing all four floors with the mountain colors and shapes. The Sierra theme continues into the finishes throughout the building. The building includes:

• A central location next door to the Lawlor Events Center, Mackay Stadium, Lombardi Recreation Center and opening in August 2008, the new Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center; this new facility will serve as the cornerstone of campus life
• A two story ASUN Bookstore including a fireplace and seating areas, expanded retail areas with space for textbooks, clothing, computer sales, a convenience store, and many other services for students and community members
• A variety of food retailers including a sports grill with adjoining recreation room; a 7,500 square foot food court with space for five food vendors including Port of Subs, Tahoe Creamery, and Villa Ristorante; and a location on the first floor for a Starbucks and Keva Juice
• A 1,000 seat (more than 10,000 square feet) grand ballroom on the top floor with sweeping views of the Sierras
• A 220 seat, digital, high definition movie theater of more than 5,000 square feet
• A 2,000 square foot student organization center
• Home to Associated Students of the University of Nevada, Graduate Student Association and The Center for Cultural Diversity
• A wide variety of conference rooms including 5 pre-set rooms, 6 multi-purpose rooms, a formal reception room, and ballroom
• Outdoor seating and program areas for speakers, concerts, and relaxing
• Non-food retail areas such as a Silver State Schools Credit Union, JC&C Wireless, Wolf PACKage, and Kaplan Test Preparation
• Environmental friendliness reflected in building design usage of daylight harvesting strategies and xeriscaping for landscapes, recycled materials used throughout the building and in furnishings, as well as high energy efficiency systems for power, heat and cooling

Students chose to name the Joe Crowley Student Union in honor of Dr. Joe Crowley who served for 23 years as President of The University of Nevada, Reno. The building is primarily funded by student fees that students self-assessed and the Regents approved.