Student Center undergoes cosmetic changes

As part of ongoing efforts to renovate all three floors in the Student Center, major changes are currently underway to improve the atmosphere on the first floor.

Improvements include new tile floors, textured walls, softer fabric, a newly located courtesy phone and information directory, upgraded electronics and new furniture. A large 61-inch LCD HD-TV will be installed into the wall behind the stairs.

"We are trying to ensure the same aesthetic look as the Student Center Commons while also creating a positive atmosphere for students," said Rich Steele, director of the Student Center. The Commons area is a 50,000-foot expansion of the Student Center that opened last year.

Steele said this progress has led to an increase in the use of the facility. Hosting more than 7,000 events each year and a recorded traffic flow of 25,000 people on the first day of classes this year, Steele said the Student Center has become "the hub of student activity." According to Steele, students want a school to be proud of, and along with his staff, he is working to ensure that changes are made. The first floor renovation will last roughly eight weeks.

Despite the progress, several students complained about the inconveniences of inaccessible ATM machines.

"Not having an ATM is probably one of the biggest problems during this project," said Zach Aten, a first-year Biology major. Last weekend, staff laid down tiles in the area where four new ATM machines will be installed over the next few weeks.

Aditya Sarolkar, a second-year Computer Science major, said that recruitment for the India Club was a challenge because students were not able to withdraw cash for club dues.

"As an organization, they don't have cash for membership dues, and we are losing potential members," Sarolkar said.

Steele said that the matter is out of his hands.

"It is against bank policy to place banks in a temporary location," he said. Until the ATMs are replaced students can use the Lockheed Credit Union ATM located on the second floor.

A large source of funding for this renovation is coming directly from the Auxiliary Services.

"Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Services Rosalind Meyers and Facilities Associate Vice President Chuck Rode are very generous and supportive for allocating money to improve student facilities," Steele said.

A new courtesy phone and information directory will be installed directly across from the ATM machines. Steele said that in the past, its location was inconvenient due to high traffic flow.

The entrance on the first floor will feature a more modern look, with matching tile-flooring and ceiling patterns.

Eventually, all the handrails on the stairs will be replaced to meet a life-safety code. Other possible improvements include new vending machines and pay phones for student accessibility.

After the first floor is completely renovated, the second phase of the project will begin in December on the second floor.

"The student center is often a good representation of how colleges treat their students," Steele said.

By this time next year, he said, the entire renovation project should be completed.

"If there is improvement going on, it's definitely worth waiting for," Sarolkar said.