CURRENT RENOVATION PROJECTS

– The renovations to the East Gym, as well as Newing College and Dickinson Community, are still in the planning stages. Contractors are currently working on designs for both projects.

-“They’re working on those general designs, putting some ‘meat to the bones’ … I’m hoping when we come back after the holiday break we’ll be able to have many more conversations about it.”

-James VanVoorst, Vice president for administration

FUTURE CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION

-Plans to build two new academic buildings were revealed, each to be completed by approximately 2013. One would fulfill the needs of the growing engineering department, and be built in the newly opened Innovative Technologies Center plaza. The other would be a “Science V” and be possibly built in the courtyard between Science III and Science IV.

-Regarding the planned engineering building: “During this years discussions the legislature and the governor realized how quickly we were moving forward in that area, and put forth a $60 million-funding for an engineering and science building.”

-James VanVoorst

RELATIONS BETWEEN STUDENTS AND BU POLICE

-Students expressed concerns over the seemingly increasing tensions between UPD and the student body. One question mentioned possible illegal search and seizure practices by the police while another questioned the need to continuously patrol the nature preserve.

-“Our police force does an outstanding job of dealing with issues … But please, come to us, talk to us if you feel you have been mishandled.”

-James VanVoorst

-THE ADMINISTRATION’S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE STUDENT BODY’S DRINKING HABITS

-Several questions posed addressed some of the administration’s policies regarding student drinking. Vice President for Student Affairs Rodger Summers praised the current Alcohol.edu program and expressed concerns over the amount of drinking partaken in during Bar Crawl.

– “I think my goal is to try to get you to be more responsible in the way you drink rather than just drink to get drunk.”

-Rodger Summers

-AVAILABILITY OF SPACE TO STUDENTS GROUPS

-Several students expressed concerns over the difficulty of obtaining space for student groups to meet and rehearse in, particularly in the Fine Arts Building. One student inquired whether the University Union should be available strictly for the use of students and student groups.

– “The purpose of a university union is to support the University and certainly the students are a significant portion of the University Union and there will always be room for student activities in the Union. It is not now, nor will it be in the future, an exclusively student building.”

-Mary Ann Swain, Provost and vice president for academic affairs