Student Council's proposed student activities center was brought one step closer to reality last week, when Council members submitted an official request to William W. Harmon, vice president for student affairs, to hire an independent architect to consult on the project.
In a July 12 letter, Council President Joe Bilby requested that Harmon obtain an independent opinion and stated that Council will consider a formal resolution on the need for an activities center during the fall.
Council first passed a resolution calling for such a facility in April 1999.
Harmon said he intends to work with Council to hire an independent consultant, but first would like to see a forum with students, addressing the options that would be most desirable in the proposed center.
Bilby said that Council has decided on three goals that the proposed center would fulfill -- the need for more student office space, the need for a performing arts venue accessible for student use and an area for social congregation.
He said the need for performing arts and office space is particularly crucial, because student groups typically have a difficult time booking Old Cabell Hall.
He also said Council was able to fulfill only 48 of 90 requests for office space from student organizations this year.
He added that an outside consultant could help "bring some focus" to the ideas that have been floated around in the last few months of discussions on the project.
Bilby said the new project will be built in a way that best supplements the facilities currently available in Newcomb Hall.
"I think no matter what the new building looks like, it has to be planned with an eye toward what Newcomb Hall currently provides," he said.
Council Executive Vice President Matt Madden said it is clear that student organizations need more space for meetings and to run activities.
Madden said the space available in Newcomb Hall and in other buildings on Grounds often is hard to come by -- leaving some student groups without a place to hold events.
He said the administration has been supportive of Council's efforts thus far.
"The administration, just as much as students, realizes that the need is there," he added. The administration has helped to "get new student facilities on the radar screen" at the University.
Harmon agreed that the need for a new facility is clear, adding that there is "a dearth of student activity space."
On June 20, Harmon submitted a formal request for a capital project to Executive Vice President Leonard W. Sandridge, stating that the estimated cost of the project will be $8 million, but he said the final cost "could change depending on construction options."
Sandridge said that the vice presidents and provost of the University will work together to decide whether the project should be included in the University's six-year capital plan.
He said that if the project is approved by the vice presidents, the Board of Visitors still would have to approve the funding and the final design of the project.
Bilby said the success of the project is essential for continuing the diverse programs available to University students.
"The need for this building is clear if we hope to maintain the current outstanding level of student life," he said.
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