Our Opinion: The University is in desperate need of a new student center that is in a central location.

The Student Life Master Plan, an outline of future campus improvement, is in its early planning stages. The plan includes the construction of a new student center and bookstore to start in 2011.

The University has two student centers on campus. The new plan would create a combined center, pulling parts from Witherspoon and Talley student centers. The future development would include facilities for Student Media, Student Government and the Campus Cinema.

Having a centralized student center would benefit the future growth of campus social life, as well as house student groups, many of whom currently lack meeting areas and facilities. These groups would be given accommodation under the new plan because many are homeless now.

According to Peter Barnes, Student Center President,  the center is insufficient for current student needs. The center was built for a 1970s university with a population of 14,000 students. The University’s goal is to have a student population of 40,000 within the next 10 years, and the only way to effectively serve them is to have a new student center.

To adequately meet student needs, the University needs to rebuild a student center with more capacity and improved facilities. The proposal, which will create a more centrally located student center, is a positive step away from the distant feel of the current centers.

Student fees will pay for the new center in a tiered system, meaning that the increase in student fees will be small at first and will increase annually so the students who will benefit the most from these new facilities will pay the most.

None of the project’s funds will be drawn from the the student budget. But the University must keep in mind that students will be paying for these new facilities and not raise the student fees by an exorbitant amount.

Students can give suggestions to the Student Life Master Plan committee on Student Government’s Web site. It is crucial to the future of central campus to take advantage of this opportunity. We suggest Student Government post the Student Life Master Plan on its Web site, but if you would like a copy, contact  Peter Barnes at [email protected].