By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Though they agree the renovation of Kilcawley Center is necessary, Youngstown State University trustees want more information about how it will be funded.
Last year, trustees designated $10 million for the renovation of the building that serves as the student center. The money came from a bond issue, borrowed for campus improvements.
At a meeting Tuesday of the board’s academic and student-affairs committee, Jack Fahey, interim vice president for student affairs, said the cost of the renovation has risen to $14.5 million.
“The student center no longer compares favorably with our competitors,” Fahey said.
It’s less of a social hub than student centers are intended to be, he said.
“Student centers should be the living room of the campus,” Fahey said.
The project includes moving the Chestnut Room from the first floor to the second floor, consolidating conference spaces on the second floor, with spaces for students on the first floor.
The additional money would come from fundraising, a new food-services contract in the center and money left over from the Wick Pollock House restoration project and the Williamson College of Business Administration building construction. Other aspects of the project, including new furniture, dining-room equipment and technology, could be phased in rather than installed all at once.
Scott Schulick, trustees chairman, said he’d like to see a more detailed proposal for paying for the additional costs as well as a development plan for its fundraising.
The proposal is expected to be presented to committee members at another meeting, likely next week.
Comments
While it's really nice to see that the Trustees are finally asking questions, instead of just rubber stamping their approval on everything, this is something they should already know. They might even try taking a walk through Kilcawley Center. It happens to be one of the most recently updated and beautiful buildings on campus. It's conspicuous consumption to tear everything up to make it just a bit better. . . .like the glass staircase. And to borrow to do it and then raise tuition to pay off the debt during a poor economy. At best, this university's behavior is completely irresponsible. At worst, it's sinful.
It is just amazing that the project's price increased 50% in just one year. This may sound cynical, but what kind of fundraising projects do they have in mind to raise 4.5 million dollars? In the end, I am sure it will come from tutition increases in a roundabout way.
When will they realize its not always about the aesthetics and keeping up its "competitors" and Jack Fahey says.
Do potential YSU students REALLY decide the college to attend based on the student center? As opposed to tuition and fees, available majors, distance from home, instructors, job placement rates, etc ... YSU is a commuter school, after all ...