When students walk into the EMU fall term, they may notice a few changes. The EMU Interim Planning Committee, a subcommittee of the EMU Board of Directors, is looking into shuffling groups around to better utilize the building’s limited office space.
The hottest piece of property up for grabs is 71 EMU, which used to house a branch of the University Child Care and Development Centers. The child care center relocated to Moss Street during winter break, and now several groups are vying for the prime office space that is sitting empty on the EMU’s bottom floor.
“The application process is wide open right now,” EMU Interim Planning Committee Chairman Brandon Rhodes said.
The Craft Center, Women’s Center and University Health Center have all made inquiries about the 1,100-1,200 square-foot office space.
However, the committee said it has not established a deadline for submitting applications, so other groups interested in the space can still apply.
The Craft Center submitted a proposal describing how it would use the space, envisioning a new area for glass blowing and general programming, a reoriented and expanded wood shop and a relocated fibers studio.
Women’s Center Assistant Director Debby Martin said the group wants the empty office because it is larger and would offer a more private space to help women who drop in to report violence against them.
“We need more space to deal with those situations,” Martin said, adding that the center is trying to create a “community space” for women to come and relax or bring their children, and another area for women to breast-feed.
Discussions with the health center are in a very preliminary stage, Rhodes said, but there has been talk of putting a cold clinic or a pharmacy in the EMU.
“I think they would jump at the chance to get some office space somewhere,” Rhodes said.
He added that it’s unlikely any one group will get the whole room to itself.
“Realistically, it’s likely we’ll see a multifaceted resolution,” Rhodes said. “We’d like to accommodate a range of needs.”
The committee is taking a broad look at how to best use the office space in the EMU, including the spot on the second floor recently vacated by Totally Cellular.
The committee is also looking at giving 11 EMU to Erb Essentials for management and clerical space. Rhodes said the shuffle would free up space for the EMU’s convenience store to sell more goods. However, the committee would have to find somewhere to put the current occupants of room 11, Amnesty International and Students for Choice.
After finalizing a plan for the use of EMU offices, the committee will solicit public comments. The committee plans to present its findings to the EMU Board of Directors in April.
“We’d like to have (any changes) constructed and ready by the first day fall term,” Rhodes said.