2008 Woodie Awards
Student center plans underway
Miami selects 14 individuals to head building design study
Heather Newton
Issue date: 4/24/07 Section: Campus
The committee selected to begin the feasibility study for the pre-design phase of a potential new student center will have its first meeting May 9.
Fourteen individuals were selected to create the student center committee. Their present goals are to define what a student center should be, explained Miami University architect, Robert Keller.
In February, the board of trustees approved $250,000 be allocated to fund this design concept process. Keller said it would take time to make sure the committee determines the plans for a student center that fits the needs of those it would serve.
"What we definitely don't want to do is replicate the Shriver Center in a new location," Keller said. "We are creating something new, a student center, in a new location."
At this time, the committee is looking at locating the new center near Williams Hall, the Campus Avenue Building, and the Health Services Center. The Office of Planning and Construction in the department of physical facilities, along with Keller, has hopes of expanding the sidewalk that leads from the Recreational Sports Center to the Health Services Center entirely to Spring Street. This sidewalk they have nicknamed "the south walk area," according to Keller.
While this seems to be the best location at the time, it is not set in stone. If this does become the desired location, some buildings will have to be torn down to make the plans work, but no decisions on the location of the center have been finalized at this time, explained Steve Snyder, executive assistant to the president.
"In my mind from a planning standpoint, I don't think the Campus Avenue Building efficiently occupies the amount of space it does," Keller said.
A new student center has been discussed by the past six student body presidents according to Snyder.
It was first idealized by David Doyle, 2001-02 student body president.
According to Associated Student Government (ASG) meeting minutes Dec. 7, 2001 Doyle said, "The Shriver Center does not serve the needs of the students, and it is (my) hope that a new student union will be considered as a part of the (First in) 2009 initiatives."
Fourteen individuals were selected to create the student center committee. Their present goals are to define what a student center should be, explained Miami University architect, Robert Keller.
In February, the board of trustees approved $250,000 be allocated to fund this design concept process. Keller said it would take time to make sure the committee determines the plans for a student center that fits the needs of those it would serve.
"What we definitely don't want to do is replicate the Shriver Center in a new location," Keller said. "We are creating something new, a student center, in a new location."
At this time, the committee is looking at locating the new center near Williams Hall, the Campus Avenue Building, and the Health Services Center. The Office of Planning and Construction in the department of physical facilities, along with Keller, has hopes of expanding the sidewalk that leads from the Recreational Sports Center to the Health Services Center entirely to Spring Street. This sidewalk they have nicknamed "the south walk area," according to Keller.
While this seems to be the best location at the time, it is not set in stone. If this does become the desired location, some buildings will have to be torn down to make the plans work, but no decisions on the location of the center have been finalized at this time, explained Steve Snyder, executive assistant to the president.
"In my mind from a planning standpoint, I don't think the Campus Avenue Building efficiently occupies the amount of space it does," Keller said.
A new student center has been discussed by the past six student body presidents according to Snyder.
It was first idealized by David Doyle, 2001-02 student body president.
According to Associated Student Government (ASG) meeting minutes Dec. 7, 2001 Doyle said, "The Shriver Center does not serve the needs of the students, and it is (my) hope that a new student union will be considered as a part of the (First in) 2009 initiatives."
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