The University of Memphis is undergoing plans to completelyrenovate the University Center as part of a multi-year project thatincluded the Student Recreation and Fitness Center, the RoseTheater and the student plaza.
"The UC will undergo a major wall-to-wall renovation, much morethan replacing the carpet or furniture. It will have a totally newdesign," said William Porter, assistant vice president for StudentLife/Dean of Students.
The UC has been a part of The U of M since 1967. It is thegathering place for many student organizations, has housed severaladministrative facilities and is operating as the social gatheringplace for school functions.
"The UC is over 35 years old, and it is a little rundown," saidPorter. "It is not doing the best job of serving the students."
Many students are unaware of the plans for the renovation to thecampus, which has made some students feel left out. However,students received surveys via e-mail from Brailsford &Dunlavey, the company spearheading the project, which will allowstudents to express their views toward the renovations.
"This survey is very, very important. We really need students toparticipate in the survey, in order to get a good response," Portersaid. "We are hoping more students will be interested and morestudents will respond."
Although students may not have heard of the plans, some arereceptive to them.
"I haven't even heard about the renovation but, it is a goodidea," said Mario Walker, junior biology major.
After the surveys and plans are complete, the renovation willbegin in January 2005. The complete process will take approximately18 months to complete, according to officials.
"The UC will house better food services and give an opportunityfor students to interact with others. There will be more room formeetings and events and more office space for studentorganizations," Porter said. "It will make it a cooler place tobe."
Students agree that the transformation of the UC is needed.
"Renovation to the UC is a process that is long overdo," saidOlivia Barnes, sophomore sports management major. "It's where thestudents hang out."
However, some students disagree with the renovation of the UCand suggest the money should be used for better purposes.
"To a degree the renovation is needed, but on a larger scale, itis unnecessary," said Ennis Newman, a sophomore African-Americanstudies major. "This project is taking away from things that aremore important."
The budget for the project is $27 million, which includes theplanning, architecture cost and renovation for the UC, saidPorter.
"The money that is used for the project cannot be used foranything else," he said. "It is not a part of the universitygeneral funds."
Additional tuition increase is another concern the students havein regards to the new addition.
"Student access fees may increase, and I am concerned aboutthat," Newman said.
However, Porter said tuition and fees would not increase becauseof the renovation.
