The University is encouraging students to participate in a 20-minute survey about how they use the EMU and the Student Recreation and Fitness Center as plans to remodel the student facilities get underway.
The EMU is looking to add more space for student organizations, offices, suites, meeting rooms and retail, while the rec center wants to add more locker rooms, a spa, a juice bar, another lighted field and pool, more courts and more cardio and weight training space.
Expected to cost more than $120 million, the money to fund the renovations to the EMU and rec center will come from tuition fees, state bonds, fundraising, earned income and a proposed increase in recreation center fees.
“I believe that there are donors out there who remembered their out-of-class experiences fondly that they had in college and would love to donate to something that impacts student life outside the classroom,” said Dennis Munroe, rec center director of physical education and recreation. “We’ve just never asked them.”
In an e-mail sent to all students April 1, Vice President of Student Affairs Robin Holmes and ASUO President Emma Kallaway encouraged students to participate in the survey. The survey, called the YourVoice survey, is meant to identify how students use the space before designing and remodeling begin.
“To those who come to the student recreation center and experience our crowded conditions … it doesn’t take them long to understand that although what we have is very nice … it was only part of a larger, master plan that we haven’t been able to reach to,” Munroe said.
“(The survey) is about your experience here,” EMU director Dusty Miller said. “There is a real strong belief here on this campus that both of these facilities should improve to help future generations of students.”
Miller explained that many students have already expressed concerns about lack of student office space designed for their needs. For example, the space housing KWVA was converted into the radio station from a women’s restroom and a storage area.
“I’m a firm believer in that this building was designed to feature student organizations and their programs,” Miller said. “If you’re going to do that, then you want to be visible.”
Miller said students had other complaints about the EMU that should be addressed with renovations.
“Most people would say, and I would agree, that this building is very difficult to navigate,” he said. “Trying to find your way around this building is very challenging. This building is also not universally accessible.”
The EMU was originally designed in 1950 to accommodate 6,000 students. Despite renovations in 1962, 1973 and 1998, many think the EMU is an inadequate space for the current student population — more than 22,000.
Miller emphasized the importance of filling out the survey.
“This is (the students’) chance to honestly and accurately help shape the future,” Miller said. “If you don’t fill this out, you’ve abdicated.”
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Surveying facility use on campus
Daily Emerald
April 7, 2010
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