By: Amanda Damon
Changes Coming to Campus
Since the introduction of the Facilities Master Plan (FMP) at the Student Senate meeting on September 10th, many students have been voicing their concerns over the changes coming to campus. Several students felt that they had no representation in the matters taking place at their own school; despite a push from Student Senate to get a representative into meetings, the selected student was unable to make it to the Facilities Master Plan committee meetings.
However, in a Tor Echo meeting with Chief Financial Officer Joseph Greenthal, the FMP plans were discussed in great length. What follows is the Alfred State plan to restructure campus – and the student experience – over the next several years.
In 2011, a 10-year roadmap was formed to sketch the needed renovations on campus and the funding that would be available for them. Nothing in that plan ever came to be, creating the need for a new, renovated plan. The FMP is still a work in process; however, some plans will soon be in motion.
The original goals of the FMP committee were to make use of underutilized space around campus and renovate buildings that need work. The committee wanted to find a plan that would be the most cost and time efficient. Although the construction will be a nuisance for a bit, the plan was made with the students’ best interests in mind. Instead of creating additional space for admissions while their building is under construction, the decision was made to move those employees into the SLC.
Students, especially those heavily involved in clubs, feel that the loss of space is an intrusion. This was determined to be the best possible place for admissions though, and much of SLC, as well as many other places on campus, are still available for student use. President Sullivan made the decision to have the office of the President, as well as some of admissions, moved into SLC in order to provide student resources that are more easily accessible.
Another major part of the Facilities Master Plan was the relocation of the University Police from the Theta Gamma house to 10 Elm. The University Police house (Theta Gamma) was determined to be structurally unsound. Their relocation is out of necessity, and 10 Elm was determined to be the best location for them. The plan is to tear down the Theta Gamma house and to build a small homage to it. To make room for UP, Pizza Pioneer will be moved to the Pioneer Lounge, in the lower level of the Pioneer Center.
As for Pizza Pioneer’s new location, the Pioneer Lounge will provide the most benefits for students. The Lounge will also be renovated, providing a more modern hangout for students. The renovations to the Pioneer Center will happen in two phases, starting with the relocation of Pizza Pioneer. As the bar part of the lounge is fitted for food service, the lounge will remain open for students. When those renovations are completed, the lounge will be under construction while food will still be available. Performing this construction in two parts will ensure that the Pioneer Center remain open for student use.
The best benefit of moving Pizza Pioneer to the Pioneer Center will be the creation of three spheres of food areas for students. The Mackenzie students have Timberlinz, all students can access CDH, Alfie’s, and Taco Bell during the day, and students at the lower end of campus will soon have a more accessible food and entertainment source. While Pizza Pioneer is moving locations, ACES is willing to extend the hours of other eating places to make up for the lack of food.
The FMP committee has put much thought into the needed work around campus. Although the construction isn’t desirable, the coming changes are for the benefit of the students. Dr. Gregory Sammons and Spencer Peavey, Vice President and Asst. VP for Student Affairs, both recognize the breakdown in communication between Student Senate and the FMP committee. However, this is a multi-step process that moved very quickly, causing difficulties in getting a student representative to be present at meetings.
Those working on this FMP project never wanted to take away student space; rather, they want to enhance the student experiences around campus, for present students and those to come. Student leaders are being involved in the design process for the Pioneer Lounge renovations and student created concepts have already been designed. The college has kept student needs in mind and continues to keep students as priorities in current and future work.
