Despite the Student Government Association's unanimous supportTuesday evening for the construction of a new University Center,plans are far from concrete, University of Memphis officialssaid.
Brailsford and Dunlavey Facility Planners presented the idea tothe SGA as an alternative to simply renovating the UC.
The idea for a new building arose when the administrationconducted a survey in fall 2003 about renovating the UC, saidWilliam Porter, dean of students. Approximately 2,467 studentsparticipated in the survey.
"We received student opinion on what they were looking for in aUC and what students think of the current one," Porter said. "Manyfeel the current UC isn't adequately fit to meet studentneeds."
Porter said students want better dining facilities and 24-hourcomputer labs, as well as the traditional needs of lounge, studyand student organization space.
"We have heard many comparisons to the FedEx Institute ofTechnology," Porter said. "People are proud of that building."
However, unlike FIT, a new UC building would be financed throughstudent funds, not private donations.
Costs will be paid from the student debt fee, which was alsoused to fund the construction of the Rose Theatre and StudentPlaza. The student debt fee is currently $60 per semester.
Students would likely see a $35 per semester increase if theproposal for a new UC is approved.
"Right now we're trying to get the idea out there," Porter said,"which is important, because students will be paying for it."
After speaking with six student groups, Porter said the studentsseem to understand the project and have reacted positively.
However, there were some students who were sensitive about therising costs of college.
"Many of (these students worried about costs) have balanced thatagainst the benefits and have found the benefits are worth theadditional cost," Porter said.
A basic renovation of the UC would cost The Universityapproximately $23 million, officials said.
"If we do a basic renovation, most of the money would go toimproving the infrastructure," Porter said.
Such improvements would include new elevators and heating, airconditioning and electrical renovations. A smaller amount of moneywould go to making the UC nicer in the way students want,University officials said.
If the renovation plan is approved, the student debt fee wouldincrease by up to $10 instead of the $35 increase be required for anew building.
"We were talking about raising the fees to pay for therenovation," Porter said. "It was then that we asked the question'If we raise the fee somewhat, why not look at a whole newbuilding?'"
Sophomore Mason Chumpia, biology major, said building a new UCwould be a waste of time.
"If changes to the UC are necessary, renovation is in orderrather than construction of a new building," Chumpia said. "Thecurrent facilities are suitable, and it seems like student feeswould be a sharp deterrent to support for the construction of a newbuilding."
Cara Laughlin, marketing management senior and SGA senator,disagreed and said the building of a new UC was widely popular ather old school.
"I attended Texas A&M in Corpus Christi, Texas my freshmanyear," Laughlin said. "That semester the campus had just received anew UC."
Laughlin said everything students wanted was in onebuilding.
"It became the center of the university," Laughlin said. "If youwanted to find someone, you found them in the UC. We paid a littlemore in tuition for it, but overall, I think it was worth theprice."
Porter said although academics come first, quality of life issignificant in making a university experience.
"I think it's important to think about the future and what willmake The University the best it can be," he said. "This building isnot making the contribution it should be to the quality of life. Anew building would."
