Spring Break
Forum hears debate on plans
Roger Sauerhaft
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: Front Page
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The location of the new student center will be on the current site of Culler, Gaskill and Rowan halls, with groundbreaking expected to occur as part of the 2009 Bicentennial. The committee said location was chosen because it serves as the epicenter on campus for pedestrian activity, driving, academic buildings, residential buildings and athletics.
Dean of Students Susan Mosley-Howard projected that the building will be open by 2013.
The committee members said the new student center would be able to contribute to the Miami experience in ways that the Shriver Center cannot.
"Not all the students feel like Shriver is really their building; it really isn't-you just come here when you have stuff to do," said junior presenter Susana Campos. "Getting a new student center would give Miami an identity so you (the student) would have a place to go in between classes and have things to do."
Fellow presenter, sophomore student trustee Kerry McCormack agreed and said the libraries and dining halls on campus can become congested because there is no large, central place for students to go.
According to McCormack and Campos, the new student center would be equipped with amenities such as recreation, gaming, lounge and retail space, new technology and an expansive food court.
Mosley-Howard said commuter students were also included in plans for the space. Although she said there might not be a commuter center in the new building, there will be space allotted to accommodate commuters.
Mosley-Howard said that the new center should be an environment for everyone rather than separating the student body.
One issue addressed was where the current inhabitants of Gaskill and Culler Hall will be moving, since these two buildings host programs that play major roles at Miami, including the department of physics.
"(The) physics (department in Culler) was actually in line to be renovated," Campos said. ìIt will be relocated to Kreger, and Laws (Hall) will also open up from the new business school (moving to their new building in 2009)."
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
JP40
posted 4/18/08 @ 10:19 AM EST
In the Senate meeting, when asked about price, the architect said that it probably would be closer to $120million by the time it was finished. I heard at the presentation that they hope that if 50% of all alums give $200 per year for 4 years, they can fund this. (Continued…)
Brian Toberman
Brian Toberman
posted 4/19/08 @ 10:54 PM EST
This is very good news to hear. It's nice to see the plans moving forward.
Dan
posted 4/21/08 @ 2:29 PM EST
This just sounds like Miami trying to keep up with OU after they just opened their 'mansion' of student centers. Another waste of time and money.
Rich
posted 4/22/08 @ 7:54 AM EST
Education should be about student centers and great recreation facilities. The hell with education!
Sadly, Miami is becoming a leader among the "ain't education fun" crowd. (Continued…)
AnnR
posted 4/25/08 @ 2:29 PM EST
This plan does not include commuter students, it will exclude them and give on-campus students yet another advantage over us.
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