Renovations for Bovee University Center set for July

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When Nicholas Parkinson heard about renovations on the Bovee University Center he was hoping it would be focused on one thing.

Students.

He said there is a lack of student-centered socialization buildings on campus.

“I think students have places to gather and socialize, but they don’t have that one place,” the Grayling junior said. “I think that’s what the UC could become.”

Steve Lawrence, associate vice president of Facilities Management, said renovations on the UC will begin in July, pending the completion of Ronan Hall renovations.

The renovations for the UC have a budget of $5 million.

“Students will have a lot more space at their disposal to relax and have a good time in,” Lawrence said. “I think we’re adding nine meeting rooms for their use. That was one of the things that was high on their list of requests.”

Most of the offices and staff currently located in the UC will be moving location to Ronan Hall to make room for all the changes.

The renovations in the UC can’t begin until Ronan Hall renovations, budgeted at $3.5 million, are completed.

“The Ronan Hall renovations are getting started later than we originally planned,” he said. “The majority of that has to be done before we can do very much with the UC.”

The UC renovations were originally scheduled to begin six months ago.

He said UC renovations are expected to be completed by July of 2011.

The lower level will be receiving the most work, Lawrence said.

Three large meeting rooms will be put in near where the diversity offices are located.

A game area containing several arcade and electronic games will be placed in a section of the Down Under food court.

“A lot of walls are coming down in the lower level,” Lawrence said. “But new things will be going up.”

The main floor of the UC will also see some big changes.

A Starbucks coffee shop will be placed near the current president’s conference room location.

Lawrence said students can also expect a post office to be added near the CMU Bookstore’s current location.

Study rooms, meeting areas, general seating and a new women’s restroom are included in the main floor’s renovation plans.

On the top floor, conference rooms will be modified into the new president’s conference room, Lawrence said.

“I think it’s a good change,” Parkinson said. “Ronan Hall is ancient and needs updating. If they’re going to update the UC to something more student friendly and centered, I’m all for it.”

Grosse Pointe junior Lauren Seery is most excited for the addition of a Starbucks.

She is also happy she will not have to make a trip downtown for her post office needs.

“It will be really useful for people on campus,” she said.