UC renovation aimed at attracting students

The heart of Southeast Missouri State University's campus is prepped for surgery, but the procedure officials characterize as minor carries a hefty price tag.

In response to open campus forums conducted last fall, the university board of regents recently approved a plan to refurbish and renovate the University Center at Henderson Street and Normal Avenue. The project, which is set to start this month and is slated for a summer 2005 completion, will cost $550,000 to $600,000.

The goal is to create a more student-friendly atmosphere.

"We want to make it a destination of choice for our students and the campus community," said Dennis Holt, vice president for administration and enrollment management. "It will be a place for students to work and relax together."

The multiphase plan includes:

Moving Textbook Services to Kent Library.

Construction of a Student Organization Complex on the second floor.

Relocation of the third-floor Information Desk to consolidate ID Card Services with Information Desk functions.

Renovating the former Student Activities Council office into a small conference room and new catering office.

Construction of a new en-trance into the second floor facing Normal Avenue.

Construction of a new Campus Life office.

Renovation of the front patio facing Normal Avenue.

The university hopes the refurbishment will enjoy similar success to that of its third floor -- the Skylight Terrace food court -- completed two years ago.

"Since its completion, we've seen a lot more students coming to eat," Holt said. "There has been a visibly increased amount of traffic."

Holt said student centers are a key feature in student recruitment.

In light of recent state budget cuts that have resulted in Southeast losing $7.15 million in state funding over the past two fiscal years, Holt emphasized that the tab for this project will not be picked up by extra student fees. Instead, the renovation will be funded by an internal loan.

Paid off debt

Since 1993, the University Center has been budgeting a yearly sum of $70,000 to go toward paying off its share of a housing loan. That debt was fulfilled in October 2002, freeing up that money to be used for this project.

The project will kick off this month with the moving of Textbook Services from the second floor to Kent Library. This will make way for a Student Organization Complex.

"This is a much-needed improvement," said Adam Schaefer, president of Student Government. "There needs to be a centralized location for student organizations. It will allow organizations to collaborate more."

Although the Student Government and the Activities Council are currently located in the University Center, Schaefer said, other student organizations are scattered over the campus. Many of the smaller organizations don't have a space at all.

As the project moves forward, Minority Student Programs -- including the new McNair Scholars Grant offices -- will be moved from the third floor and consolidated with the offices of the dean of students on the fourth floor. In addition, the interiors will be refurbished and external entrances will be enhanced.

Schaefer also points to the success of the aesthetically improved Skylight Terrace as an example of the difference this project could make.

"It's a step forward to better serve the students," Schaefer said. "The added service will help to unite students and bring them into the University Center."

trehagen@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137