The SalukiTech computer store, located in the Student Center, closed on Sept. 14 and moved out of the Student Center on Sept. 15.

Tena Bennett, the director of the Student Center, said the decision to close SalukiTech was made by the university administration in early August.

“The University is moving forward with a new esports facility, as well as a makerspace,” Bennett said. “The current location of SalukiTech and the Innovation Hub, have been deemed the appropriate place for these new endeavors.”

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The SalukiTech service center in Morris Library, will remain open until further notice.

At the Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 13, SIUC Chancellor Carlo Montemagno said the esports facility should be fully operational by the end of the semester.

“Another key element we are putting in place is an eSports competition center,” Montemagno said. “We are building a competitive building for both intramural and intercollegiate.”

In the Board of Trustees meeting, Montemagno also mentioned the university’s plans to build a new makerspace as a way to fuel student innovation.

(See more: Montemagno says many of reorganized schools are in final steps of approval at Board of Trustees meeting)

Montemagno said the makerspace would be one of the largest in the nation and would allow students to innovate in a variety of disciplines.

Bennett said she was unsure of how much notice was given to the employees of SalukiTech before the closure.

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“SalukiTech is a tenant of the Student Center and we do not manage the employees,” Bennett said. “They are employees of Information Technology, not the Student Center.”

At the time of publication, the manager and employees of SalukiTech declined to comment about the closure.

Staff reporter Kallie Cox can be reached at kcox@dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter at @KallieC45439038.

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