New center will provide more housing for student organizations

by Mike Jones
Staff Writer

University officials released preliminary figures for space in the new university center that would allocate increased space for student programming, add a larger food market and provide a traffic boulevard from lower to upper campus.

“We are currently in the midst of schematic design and will still be in that stage by the end of November,” said Richard Carpinelli, assistant vice president for student affairs. “At that point we will be in the design development stage, where we will draw up blueprints.”

Carpinelli and the planning committee crafted a vision statement that identifies goals for the new university center, slated to open Fall Quarter 2006.

“It will promote out-of-class learning and growth, support classroom instructional activity, and contribute to the overall quality of campus life, “ according to the center’s mission statement.

Facility improvements and additions from Baker University Center will be made for the new center, including larger food locations, a ballroom that is almost three times larger and a new auditorium that will seat 250 people.

“Currently, Baker Center is housing 12 student organizations,” Carpinelli said. “The new center will hold approximately 50 to 60 student organizations.”

Director of University Relations for Student Senate Amanda Cunningham also is involved with the planning of the new university center.

“The majority of programs in Baker University Center will be moved to the new center when it opens in Fall 2006. Several of these programs include ••The Post,•• Student Senate, and many student organizations,” she said.

Cunningham also added that the new university center will be the home for many organizations, such as ACRN radio station, Lindley Cultural Center, and University Judiciaries.

In addition, Carpinelli said it will be a major resource for all students but also will be an architecturally attractive building to visit.

“It will showcase student organizations and give a sense of excitement upon entering,” Carpinelli said.

Carpinelli said that the center will be located on a steep hill with entrances at South Court Street and Oxbow Street. He also said that it will be an easier route for students and faculty to go from lower campus to main campus.

“Many students coming from Porter and Grover have to walk up the steep steps to main campus,” he said. “The center will provide a boulevard for those needing an easier route.”

As for the future of Baker Center, officials are weighing different options.

“So far in the planning, no determination has been made on what will happen to Baker University Center,” Cunningham said.