Nick Clark

Student Union town hall addresses new budget

By: Megan Henderson

Posted: 4/14/08

After a $7.1 million reduction in budget, the Student Union planning committee held a town hall meeting last Wednesday to present students with information about the new union, hear suggestions and answer questions.

As the University News reported on April 7, the University of Missouri System (UM) Board of Curators met April 4 and approved a revised lower cost for the new union.

"We presented it [the union] at a lower price to save you guys money," said Nick Clark, third-year med student and co-chair of the planning committee. "This wasn't the Board of Curators that came up with this $13.75. … It was our finance crew and our UMKC administrators that actually came up with this $13.75 plan and still worked with our 109,000 square feet. So it's not the Board of Curators who are working your behalf, it's actually our administrators who are working on your behalf."

The $13.75 is the new student fee per credit hour, up to 12 credit hours, for the new union. In a Feb. 1 meeting, the UM Board of Curators told UMKC it must reduce the cost to students of the new union, which was then $16.75 per credit hour.

Clark, who is also a member of the Steering Committee and Project Management Team, discussed the jobs of the planning sub-committees. The operations committee, he said, is deciding where dock access will be to avoid problems faced at the University Center's dock.

"Right now it's pretty much on the front of the University Center, and it's kind of in a bad location because it smells…" he said.

Clark also discussed the committee's plans for 51st Street through campus. He said the street would eventually turn to pedestrian access only.

"We don't want cars or big 18-wheelers … risking the safety of our students on campus," he said.

The Union will also have a paging intercom system, according to Clark.

"Should there be a fire, should there be an intruder, we can announce it over the intercom," he said.

Tadros Abdelmalek, graduate student and co-chair of the Marketing/Publicity and Design/Programming sub-committees, addressed the goals of the Sustainablilty Committee.

"We want to minimize consumption of natural resources and impact on local ecosystems," Abdelmalek said. "Green is a large concern for the planning committee. … We really need to hear what you guys think about that."

Bob Simmons, assistant vice chancellor for campus facilities, discussed the space allocations for the new Student Union. The bookstore will move from the University Center, and will occupy 13,380 square feet, he said.

"They are a tenant in that building, so they're going to be paying rent to that building, and the rent they pay to that building will go to help pay for the project, which is going to help keep those fees lower," Simmons said.

Food services space will occupy 11,070 square feet. According to Simmons, the space will include a coffee shop with space for poetry readings and similar performances. The other space will be occupied by different establishments set-up in an a la carte style.

"They could be externally franchised-type venues, they could be Sodexho branded venues," he said. "You guys have a student governance board for your food services that will have a big say in that as things move forward."

Simmons addressed the timeline for the new Student Union. In September, the Board of Curators will review the request for proposal. If approved, the construction would begin in spring 2009, Simmons said.

UMKC will have a new Student Union Web site where students can blog about their ideas for the union, according to Abdelmalek. The Web site will include contact information for the committees and minutes from committee meetings. The Web site should be up in two weeks, he said.

Abdelmalek said it is important to remember future UMKC students when planning for the new union.

"This will really affect the students of 2011," he said. "We're trying to really build a student union, not only for us to appreciate, but also for the students of 2011 who actually have to pay for it. So we really need to take in everyone's ideas and thoughts to make this a successful project."

To participate in a sub-committee or offer suggestions, contact Cindy Harrison at harrisonc@umkc.edu.

mhenderson@unews.com