The New University Center “The Living Room of the Campus”

Bishop Dougherty University Center, named for Bishop John J. Dougherty, president of Seton Hall from 1960 through 1970, houses most of Seton Hall's cultural, social and recreational activities.

The University Center is the hub of student activity. It includes the Galleon Dining Room/food court, Pirate’s Cove (lounge and coffee house), Theatre-in-the-Round, an art gallery, a study lounge, student government as well as a wide variety of student clubs and organizations.

As such an integral part of the campus community, the University Center must be renovated to enhance Seton Hall’s overall social and cultural environment. This $25 million project incorporates plans to redo the façade in a neo-Gothic architectural style to achieve a look similar to other heritage buildings on campus. The renovated University Center will also feature a large conference center or multipurpose room that the campus community can use for large gatherings or divide into four smaller areas. In addition, the University will expand the dining area, as well as the student meeting rooms, and relocate the bookstore from Duffy Hall.

A key feature will be an enclosed gallery walkway or mall that will tie the campus’ north end to its southwest section and serve as a main thoroughfare to the green and main sections of campus. It will house an art gallery to display students’ or other featured artists’ work, as well as a food court.

Upstairs, Seton Hall will renovate the University Club, which provides dining facilities for faculty and administrators, and will add smaller dining rooms for private entertainment of alumni and friends.