2008 Woodie Awards
Future possibilities for Student Union
Eirinn Disbrow
Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: News
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The architects responded, and over break a committee comprised of Glenn Gerchman, Director of Student Union & Campus Events, David Rabold, and Mike Brewer, Director of Plant Operations, along with several senior staff read over the applications and narrowed them down to four different architects.
The Seegers Student Advisory Board was then invited to participate in the selection process and went to several presentations given by the architects.
Once an architect is finally selected, the College will then go into a three month planning phase. During this time there will be surveys and focus groups run by the architect which will get some feedback about what others on campus feel needs to be changed about Seegers. Adrian Shanker '09 believes that "the student union is absolutely in need of renovations. I think the biggest need is bigger space for student organizations."
He also believes that the student body often expresses a need for increased student space and new eating and lounge areas. Glenn Gerchman agrees that because Seegers now serves twice as many students as it used to, many things have become obsolete. He would also like to see some improvements to Seegers that support the College's efforts in sustainability.
Gerchman explains that discussion about renovations to Seegers have been occurring since he came to the College in 2001, and he expects that they even began before that. After many years of planning, the College expects to begin construction around Spring of 2009 and expects to be finished in the Fall of 2010.
As of now, the kitchen in Seegers Union is the first priority for expansion and renovation. The kitchen has become obsolete and needs to be improved to meet the College's current needs. The kitchen renovation may end up affecting the Garden Room and GQ, which may be relocated and expanded. Shanker says that a nicer façade from the rear of the building, a better loading dock, and a renovated eating area have also been mentioned.
Gerchman says that renovation of the Red Door is also a possibility. Of course, none of these ideas or plans will be finalized until the College selects and architect and begins to discuss with the campus their needs and wishes for improvement. Until then, we can begin to look forward to a revamped Seegers Union in 2010.