Members of the University community are taking the opportunity to have a say in the future of the EMU.
Officials met Tuesday with students, faculty and staff in the Ben Linder Room to discuss ideas and get input about the EMU Master Plan, a design for the building’s renovation that is scheduled to be finalized by 2003.
“We want to hear all the dreams,” said Sarah Miller, assistant director for MHTN Architects, a group involved in the preplanning phase of the project. “We want to hear all the ideas.”
Sarah Miller asked everyone at the meeting to give suggestions on what is needed in the EMU, and how space should be used.
“It’s a building for the whole community,” she said.
The EMU renovation, which will be done in several phases, will be funded by student building fees, EMU Director Dusty Miller said.
“It’s a chance for students, faculty and staff to come in and say what they want for the future of the EMU,” Dusty Miller said of the meeting.
Some of the suggestions at the forum included expanding the food court and nearby seating, setting up a lost and found, opening coffee shops earlier and keeping the building open later. In the future, Dusty Miller said the EMU could stay open later to provide better student access.
And all this can be possible — if a design is created that will allow access without an outrageous price tag.
One idea mentioned at the meeting by several people was to make things in the EMU more accessible — making the building easier to get around in.
“When I give tours, I describe the EMU as a Swiss Family Robinson treehouse for college students,” sophomore Andrea Hall said.
Sarah Miller and another architect also met with eight focus groups Monday to hear suggestions. She said that while the project is still in the information gathering process, it is important that many people give input.
Sarah Miller will meet with more people this week, and will return to the University in two weeks. At that time, a series of workshops will be open to the public to aid in the design process. After the workshops end, she will present about six sample designs for more public input. The master plan for the renovation is expected to be done in January 2003, she said.