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Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 12/10/07 |
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In
the News Archive - Year:
December 3, 2007 More projects lie ahead at UWGB University Union work continues as student services work nears end By Kelly McBride
Perhaps best known among campus remodel projects is the $33 million expansion and renovation of the old Phoenix Sports Center, which officially debuted as the new Kress Events Center in early November.
But as the student services remodel draws to a close this month and the University Union project continues, officials and students are looking forward to other facilities facelifts to bring them into the future.
"We know from talking to students that these are the kinds of things they're interested in," said Dean of Students Sue Keihn. "They're the kind of amenities they want."
The $6 million University Union project includes more dining options, a so-called student activity core for campus organizations and a retail corridor that will bring the campus bookstore and credit union together.
The $1 million-plus student services remodel is designed to enhance efficiency by bringing offices like financial aid, registrar and admissions together with one central front desk.
Officials hope the new integrated services model will allow that desk to help 80 percent of students, rather than necessitating trips to several different offices.
"That's the real value when we move," UWGB Registrar Mike Herrity said. "This is a new way of doing business. ... It's been redesigned with the 21st century in mind."
Most of the student services offices were moved temporarily because of the construction. They'll be able to move back Dec. 19 and 20, and phone and e-mail access will be disrupted for a couple of days.
But for both projects, even the minor construction hassles haven't been too bad, officials say. The union project — scheduled for completion in March — has had to work around students still using much of that space.
"Most of the way finding was a challenge in the summer," said Union director Rick Warpinski, "which means it was lessened quite a bit (overall)."
Funding for the union project includes $3.9 million in segregated fees paid by current and former UWGB students. Former students voted to increase their fees to what became the highest in the UW System, partly to help pay for the renovations.
The renovations are a key part of the university's growth agenda, which hopes to increase enrollment by about 2,200 students — up from around 5,400 now — during the next 10 years.
But until those numbers go up, costs like those from the Kress and Union reservations will be shared by fewer students.
"The students have committed to that right from the get-go," Keihn said. "That's just a matter of size and scale. We're smaller and therefore our fees tend to be larger. ... We're responding to what students say they want."
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