The King’s College recently renewed and extended its lease on 52 Broadway with Armano Real Estate, but it does not include the O’Keeffe Student Union.

Dean of Students David Leedy revealed that “the Student Union will be closed except for pre-approved events” in an announcement made during the Spring 2023 Welcome Back Gathering on Jan. 19.

As part of an improvement package from the United Federation of Teachers, King’s will give up the Student Union completely in 2024.

According to the Commercial Observer, Armano Real Estate CEO and President Joseph Armano broke down King’s 12-year renewal consisting of 52,542 square feet. That figure only includes the lobby, fifth and sixth floors. Previously, King’s space occupied 71,223 square feet, which included the Student Union located below the school lobby on the corner of Exchange Place and New Street.

“We wanted to take advantage of favorable market conditions to secure the school’s long-term future plan and vision in New York City,” Armano told Commercial Observer. “And we increased space efficiency [as] they had some unused space.”

The Student Union first opened on Nov. 17, 2015. The Esther B. O’Keeffe Charitable Foundation donated to the school to help build the space, which was then named in the foundation’s honor.

“I’m so excited to see what is to come after the O’Keeffe Student Union’s opening today,” said Reese Evans, the Student Body President at the time. “This new space creates a stronger presence for our community in the Financial District, and I’m so glad that our college continues to grow.”

Christmas Open Mic Night 2021 | Photo Courtesy of The King's College

Since its opening, the Student Union has been primarily used as a lounge and hangout space for students. The space provided entertainment with ping pong and pool tables and comfortable work environments such as a long counter, tables, couches and a closed-off room in the back for quiet study. The Student Union also provided a small kitchen with a refrigerator, sink and one of two microwaves available to the student body on school property.

Current juniors will spend their last year at King’s without the Student Union, while current freshmen only get to utilize the space for one year.

“I was just bummed when I heard it was closing because I had just decided to start going and studying after school because it doesn’t cost money,” said Danelle Gonzalez, a freshman in the House of Margaret Thatcher.

Nour Chbany, a senior in the House of Queen Elizabeth I, works at the desk near the entrance of the Student Union during open hours. Due to the limited use of the space, the school cut back her work hours significantly.

“With the school’s financial issues, they decided to cut hours for all student workers,” said Chbany. “I get little to no hours.”

Student workers’ shifts occur during the rare times the space is used as a venue for various student organizations and House events.

“As Helmsman, the [Student Union] being unavailable would definitely be a loss,” said Meghan Huberty, the Helmsman for the House of Clara Barton. “Right now we can still use it for events, fortunately! I feel like the Student Union is one of the only on-campus areas that doesn’t feel like the same area students are in every day. Of course, we still have larger areas like the City Room and the lobby, but the Student Union gives us an additional space that feels distinct from the rest of the school.”

The House of Barton hosted the Barton Blood Drive in partnership with the New York Blood Center on Jan. 24, a tradition that was revived in 2021. With many spaces set up for students to donate blood, the drive utilized the space of almost the entire Student Union.

Barton Blood Drive 2021 | Photo Courtesy of Meghan Huberty

“I’ve participated in it this year and last, and I hope it keeps going strong,” said Huberty. “Honestly, I’m not sure exactly how we would adjust it, but I definitely believe it’s possible! We still have large spaces in the school, so given enough time and preparation I’m sure we could make it work.”

Inside the Student Union, a bike rack is available for students to secure their bicycles in a safe place while at school.

“I was able to conveniently store my bike in the Student Union knowing that it was safe and all I would need to do is get it before the school closed,” said Sean Ayerst, a senior in the House of Winston Churchill. “Knowing that option was there was part of why I thought it would be a good idea to start riding my bike to school. I had not considered the option until the school had put the bike racks in the Union.”

Choosing to ride his bike was not only a healthier form of transportation but also a cheaper one. With the security of the bike rack in the Student Union, Ayerst had no need to purchase the 30-Day Unlimited MetroCard for the subway, which saved him about $127 a month.

As an alternative, students can park their bikes in the parking garage next to the Student Union from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. according to an email sent from Student Services. Still, this alternative does not follow current school hours which are open past 6 p.m. and on Saturdays.

“I assume that the parking garage is reasonably accessible (though it is hard to match the accessibility and security of storing it on campus), but I just have yet to try it,” said Ayerst. “Even assuming it is perfectly convenient and safe when I go back to biking as my primary mode of transportation, I now will need to worry about what to do with it after 6. Many events and meetings do not even start until after 6, let alone if I just want to stay a little longer to get homework done… Until now my bike was not a hindrance unless I planned on being in Manhattan after 10. Going forward I will see how it works out.”

Myrian Garcia is the Editor in Chief at the Empire State Tribune. She is a senior studying Journalism, Culture and Society.

The O’Keefe Student Union Is Closing