Visions for a new student center, complete with a mini mall-style food court and student-run theater, keep getting closer to reality.
In an open forum late Wednesday night, Student Council leaders, interested students and administrators - emphasizing concerns about the current lack of adequate student space on Grounds - discussed possibilities for the proposed building.
The idea for a new student activities building came to life in the spring of 1999, when Council passed a proposal to research the possibility of a new SAB. Late last semester, Council President Joe Bilby formed a committee to investigate and plan the new building.
Second-year College student Steven Reinemund, who is heading Council's efforts, said he would like the building to include an expanded fast-food eating area, a non-alcoholic bar with pool tables and darts and a student-run theater.
In the presentation, he showed possible models of what the SAB could look like and laid out a plan for what each floor might include.
After Reinemund presented the committee's ideas, audience members addressed concerns about lack of new office space in the proposed building and about the size and flexibility of the new theater.
Reinemund said he planned for Newcomb Hall to continue housing student office space while Pavilion XI, the game room and other social rooms would be moved to the new building.
Representatives from Spectrum Theatre and First-Year Players said they were concerned about the lack of practice and performance space on Grounds for student groups and said they would like to see those features in a new student center.
Suggestions were made for a medium size, fully equipped theater with 200 to 400 movable seats and supplementary practice rooms.
William W. Harmon, vice president for student affairs, said he thought the presentation was excellent.
"I think the students have done their homework," Harmon said.
The committee addressed many of the needs of the students, such as more office space and performing areas, he said. He could foresee the SAB being completed in about six years if the students and administration work together, he added.
Dean of Students Penny Rule said planning for the new structure already is on the agenda for the Office of the Dean of Students.
Council Executive Vice President Matt Madden said he hopes the administration will take action soon.
"Student Council articulated a vision, but now it is time for an architect to come in and show us how to turn this into a real student center," Madden said.
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