Student Center

The Stratton Student Center is the vibrant heart of MIT campus life, providing a hub for student-led organizations and a range of dining options, retail services, and collaborative spaces for the entire community.

Dining Options Campus Activities Complex

The heart of campus life, MIT’s Stratton Student Center (W20) is a hub for student activities, dining, study, and collaboration. It is home to most student-led organizations and many community-building activities, and it houses a range of student support offices, including the Wellbeing Lab. Designed by MIT architecture professor Eduardo Catalano and named for the Institute’s eleventh president, Julius Stratton, the building opened in 1968.

Managed by the Campus Activities Complex, the Stratton Student Center hosts thousands of events and more than 190,000 visitors every year. They come to eat, study, socialize, or attend a meeting, conference, hackathon, demo-day, or other MIT-sponsored event. Inspired (some say) by M.C. Escher’s mathematically inspired artwork, the building was extensively renovated in 2024.

Hours

  • General: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; card access 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
  • Concord Market: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Commonwealth Kitchen Launchpad/Lobdell Food Court: Monday–Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Student offices: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; card access 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
  • Retail: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
  • United States Post Office: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed 1–1:30 p.m.); Saturdays 8:30–11:00 a.m.

Public spaces

  • Restaurants: Stratton has a range of food options. From on-the-go tea of coffee at TeaDo, Dunkin, or Concord Market, to full-menu dining from a range of local restaurants—including Argana Falafel, BibimBox, Carolicious, and Las Palmas—in the Commonwealth Kitchen Launchpad and Lobdell Food Court. 
  • Concord Market: Operated by an independent local grocer, Concord Market offers a selection of grab-and-go and heat-and-eat meals, as well as made-to-order sandwiches, select produce, and a wide variety of everyday essentials.
  • Event spaces: From major-event venues like Sala de Puerto Rico, to small meeting and dining rooms, to dance and art studios, campus offices can reserve and use spaces in Stratton through the CAC.
  • Wiesner Student Art Gallery: Located on the second floor, the Wiesner Gallery exclusively exhibits the creative and academic work of MIT students. The space hosts a  diverse range of monthly exhibitions, including digital media, painting, and performance.
  • MIT Credit Union: A member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution, the MIT Federal Credit Union has a Student Center branch that provides specialized student accounts.
  • MIT COOP: One of two retail locations on MIT’s campus for official MIT apparel, textbooks, and school supplies. 
  • United States Post Office: Need stamps?
Stratton public space

    Student spaces and resources

    • The Wellbeing Lab: Located on the third floor, the Wellbeing Lab first opened in 2024 to serve as headquarters to programs that help students prioritize their mental and physical health, develop healthy relationships, and clarify their sense of purpose. 
    • Lounges and study spaces: The Student Center offers versatile and quiet study spaces—including the Athena Lounge (W20-575) and a range of reading rooms, lounges and quiet study areas (W20-540).
    • MIT student organization offices: Many of the 500+ MIT student organizations have office and activity space in the Student Center. Consult the full list!
    • Creative spaces: There are a range of spaces and amenities to support students’ artistic expression and creativity, including piano practice rooms and art and dance studios. Check with the CAC to gain access to make reservations. 
    Stratton study space

    Administrative Offices