Though it’s still in an early stage of discussion, University Center and Associated Facilities Director Keith Kowalka said student input is still vital regarding the University Center’s renovation.
UC administrators are attempting to balance renovation options that would be financially feasible for students while enabling them to make the necessary changes to the older facility to ensure that it can still accommodate the University’s high volume.
"The infrastructure needs to be replaced. Although it’s a very functional facility right now, in the next 10 years we could have serious infrastructure concerns, and we need to take care of those one way or the other," Dean of Students William Munson said. "This has been a wonderful facility for 40 years, but in order for us to keep up with the newest concepts and to make sure we have a building that’s functional and not crumbling from the inside, we really need to look into the future and provide what we think are the best options for our students to consider."
Committee members, still in a preliminary stage of the renovation process, are weighing between renovating the existing facility, combining renovation efforts with the addition of new space or proposing the construction of a completely new facility.
Another obstacle the committee faces is the cost of construction in the face of rising inflation.
"If we were to break ground today there would be one cost, but then that cost for the same thing each year goes up by 15 to 18 percent," Munson said. "We’re really looking into the future trying to come up with what we think the actual cost scenario is going to be at that time."
Renovations to the University Center are essential for Student Government Association President Sam Dike, as the facility serves as a gathering place for students, entertainment and student organizations.
"If we’re calling the UC the heart of campus, we really want to make sure that this is a building that welcomes everyone from around campus, especially students," Dike said. "We want to determine what type of configuration would best encourage the openness of community building of the University Center."
Food service is another aspect of the UC committee members feel they need student input in terms of the flow of food lines, food quality and options.
According to an April survey of students, faculty and staff conducted by the UC, only 60 percent of respondents were satisfied with food service options at the UC and the UC Satellite, and survey takers were 78 percent satisfied with the food service locations.
In April, members of the UC renovations committee visited Indiana University, Purdue University, the University of California at San Diego and Texas Tech University to compare the dynamic of each campus’ student unions with that of UH.
"Every campus we visited on this tour had a more energy efficient building," SGA Vice President Jonas Chin said. "Energy efficiency could start with a simple something as simple as having more windows or natural sunlight to come into the building."
The survey also asked how many times a day they used the facility and if students would be willing to support a fee increase to go toward a UC renovation.
"Forty to 45 percent of students would be somewhat likely or very likely to support a potential UC fee increases between $85 and $150. I was a little shocked by how successful and how seemingly palatable people were to potentially support a renovation or a fee increase to support a renovation process," Kowalka said.
Traditionally when unions or students centers are renovated there is usually some portion of the renovation costs that is covered by student fees, Kowalka said.
The UC fee, established by the state, is capped at $35 per student for a regular semester and $17.50 for summer semesters.
"We’ll need to go, with the support of the students, back to the Legislature and request an amendment to the fee legislation," Munson said.
This amendment could come in the form of a higher cap, a new percentage increase per year or a combination of the two.
"We know the students are forced with lots of financial challenges," Munson said. "We are trying to determine what could students tolerate, what they would want and what the best service with a reasonable price tag for our students would be."
After the University Center officials gain Legislative approval for a fee increase, they would then have to submit another request to the UH System Board of Regents for the selection of the architect.
"What exactly will play out won’t happen until probably two year from this point if everything stays on track," Kowalka said.
