After months of discussions, surveys, focus groups and consultations with architects, University Center officials finalized a 253-page master plan for renovations to the facility.
But before seeking further approval for their plans, UC officials want to know what students want.
"What we want in the future is what the students want to support and it’s a process by students and for the students," said Executive Director of the University Center and Associated Facilities Keith Kowalka.
The UC released a survey to students on the UH Listserve that presented four transformation options based off of the UC Complex and UC Satellite Master Plan to choose from.
While the UC Policy Board will receive student responses until today, preliminary results from the survey show more than 50 percent of the students who took it support the renovation of the UC.
The master plan was drafted after the UC 2010 Initiative focus group assessed the needs of the 41-year-old building, met with architects from Holzman Moss Architecture and visited other student unions, including San Diego State University, Texas Tech University and the University of South Florida.
"We set out to different colleges around the nation to get an idea of what other students want in a University Center," Kowalka said.
While the UC has undergone spot maintenance, it has never received a complete renovation since its construction in 1967.
The mechanical systems are getting old and need attention if the building is to operate efficiently, said UC Policy Board Chairperson and English senior Micah Kenfield.
"We’ve had this building for 42 years and haven’t replaced the electrical systems or the pipes," Kenfield said.
Option A will provide climate control, electrical and plumbing updates. No exterior space or appearance modifications will be accounted for under this option which will cost approximately $40 million. In addition to the aforementioned improvements, Option B, which will cost close to $80 million, will feature interior updates such as new paint, flooring and furnishings. Option B does not call for a relocation or reconfiguration of spaces at the UC.
Under Option C -†a $100 million renovation plan – an enclosed arbor will be built to improve circulation and efficiently enhance interior activity space with
The relocation and reconfiguration of many of the center’s services and spaces will be necessary to improve each service’s visibility, access and convenience under this option. It would also leave room for expansion of food services and lounge space throughout the building. All building systems will be updated and accessibility will be enhanced. New outdoor space for gathering included in this option.
Option D would include a completely redesigned University Center, built on the parking lot east of the existing UC and featuring newly designed food, lounge, student organization and retail space, and outdoor space.
Under this option, once the new UC opens the existing building would be used for other purposes, such as student-related services and departments. This transformation would cost nearly $135 million.
Each option would require UC fee increases to be implemented in Fall 2010, once approved by the UH System Board of Regents and state legislature. Options A, B, C and D would each require fee increases of $13, $19, $25 and $34, respectively.
"What this master plan is about are programs and specifications of what our users identified as credential needs, as well as the people who have space in this building such as the bookstore, the dining service area and the campus activities area," Kowalka said.
Once the options are narrowed down, students will be able to cast their vote on the option they feel would best suit their needs and their fee tolerance.
There will be at least six and as many as 12 poll locations around the campus. Though the policy board has not determined the exact locations of the voting sites, the voting dates have been confirmed for Nov. 18 and Nov. 19.
Kenfield, Kowalka and others are working to receive a consensus and gather information they need to draft a cohesive message to be launched on their Web site Friday.
For more information about the University Center transformations, visit www.uh.edu/ucaf.
