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Y Renovation  At the July 2004 meeting, the Board of Trustees voted to authorize more than $1 million in public funds for the reconstruction of the Campus Y building. The plans for the building's renovation included multi-use spaces, such as a faculty lounge, conference rooms and a coffee bar. With approval from various state and local regulatory bodies and the ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 15, architects targeted May 16, 2005 as the date to begin the groundbreaking renovations. On March 1, 2007, 17 months after construction actually began, the Campus Y moved back into its beautifully renovated home. 
Foremost, the building needed to meet government fire and disability-access codes, which require an elevator, fire-resistant stairwells, handicapped toilets and grade-level entrances. New heating, air conditioning, plumbing and wiring were also necessary. Prior to the renovation, Y members were not allowed to use the second and third floors of the building due to its violations of modern codes. The deterioration of the building and new construction requirements increased expected costs from $3.5 million to about $4.3 million. Even with public funding from by the Board of Trustees, the remaining expenses had to be covered by private donations.
The building is structurally sound, and its  beautiful architectural elements, such as high ceilings and windows, have been preserved. However, this multimillion-dollar makeover was needed to provide the Campus Y with additional programming space and contemporary amenities.
On the ground floor, passers-by can now enjoy a new coffee bar and sidewalk café area. The first floor houses a faculty lounge, the main student work space, staff offices and the main reception room. On the second floor, students and staff have a gallery space, a conference room and two high-tech seminar rooms. Finally, the third floor is a space for new University initiatives, such as the Executive Director of the Arts, the floor's first occupant. Fundraising Conti nues
The family and friends of Susan Bitler Phelps '80 created a memorial for her in the renovated building. Susan, who embodied the Y's commitment to community and social justice, died of cancer at age 43-a tragic loss for UNC, the state of North Carolina, her family and friends. Susan's sister Barbara Bitler Coughlin '74 and Paul Coughlin '74 are heading this memorial drive, which has raised over $300,000. The Y's main reception room is named in honor of Susan, and her portrait now graces this room, the heart of the Y. Other memorials can be made by dedicating the stately, two-story windows in the faculty lounge. At present, one will commemorate longtime Y supporters Herbert and Taffy Bodman and the Y's international work. Another window donated by James Medford will be dedicated to student opposition to the Speaker Ban Law in the 1960s. Six windows remain available for sponsorship.  Justin Young '02 and Rebecca Hockfield '99, leaders of the Young Alumni Council, are supporting Y efforts through organizing the Buy a Brick drive to pave the sidewalk café. By giving a contribution of $100 or more, you have the opportunity to engrave your name or a message of up to three rows of 20 characters on a brick. Two shipments of bricks have now been installed in the sidewalk cafe, the Y court, and the sidewalk linking the two areas.
Your personal message will become a piece of history and lasting gift as part of hte UNC campus. For years to come, students and visitors alike will read the names those who made it possible. As part of our brick campaign we will be conducting a contest to recognize outstanding entries in the following catagories: tear jerkers, laugh-out-loud funny, and tarheel pride. Click here for informatin on How to donate Renovation Celebration and Alumni Reunion/Grand Reopening
 Y students, staff, alumni and advisory board members from all decades gathered in on April 15, 2005 at 2 p.m. in Gerrard Hall for an open forum to celebrate the start of renovations. Alumni had a chance to talk with students about past, present and future programs. At 3 p.m., Chancellor Moeser and former Provost Dick Richardson spoke and led the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Campus Y. Afterward, guests relaxed to the tunes of the UNC Loreleis and the bluegrass band Big Fat Gap and toasted the rebuilding at the outdoor reception.
On March 1, 2007, an open house featuring live music by Caravan, student displays, and remarks by former and current Y co-presidents celebrated the Y's move back to ifs historic home. Photo by Dan Sears, UNC-Chapel Hill. On November 2 and 3, 2007, the Y held an Alumni Reunion/ Grand Reopening to coincide with Homecoming Weekend. Nearly 100 old friends and current student participated in Campus Y Then and Now. The reunion highlighted the rich tradition of Y students and alums working on the perennial challenges of social justice in our society and across the globe with two panels, one focuing on the Y working in the nation, and the other highlighting Y activities in the larger global society. The afternoon brough a healthy discussion of what the Y offers to students at UNC and how to measure that impact. More than anything else, the students and young alums said, the Y's belief in the ability of students to impact their world inspired and encouraged generations of Carolina activists.
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