Governing bodies will decide fate of Davies
Committee to investigate options to renovate, expand or rebuild
Mark Schaaf
Issue date: 10/13/05 Section: Campus News
The future of Davies Center will rest in the hands of three university governing bodies following a majority vote at Monday's Student Senate meeting.
The Student Senate, the United Hall Council and the University Centers and Programs Advisory Committee ultimately will decide whether to use student segregated fees to renovate, expand or build a new Davies, but Vice President De Anna Breault stressed that no one will proceed with any plans against students' wishes.
The Davies Exploratory Committee, chaired by Breault, will administer a second "Pick To Make Your Opinion Stick" survey shortly before Thanksgiving break to determine what students are looking for in a student union.
The committee then will use the data to make a recommendation to the three governing bodies.
Some senators voting against the resolution, which passed 22-4, argued students mostly were unaware of Senate's resolution, saying there had been no coverage in campus media.
Senator Jon Radcliffe motioned to delay the resolution until next week, giving students more time to review the resolution's implications, but the motion was voted down 20-5.
Other senators said Davies improvements should be placed directly in students' hands through a referendum. Senator Justin Greif responded by holding up a copy of the Federalist Papers, saying students elected them to act in their best interest.
Breault stressed the importance of the survey.
"We're not saying 60 people will be speaking for 10,000," she said. "We want to give the survey as a guide for the
committee."
In February of 2003, a referendum to build a new student union was defeated overwhelmingly, with more than 78 percent of students voting it down in the highest Student Senate election turnout in 28 years.
Many senators said a lack of advertising and education about the issue were deciding factors in its defeat, something that would contrast with this year's campaign.
The Davies Exploratory Committee is hoping for one third of the student body to respond, building on a 25 percent student response to a similar survey last spring.
The Student Senate, the United Hall Council and the University Centers and Programs Advisory Committee ultimately will decide whether to use student segregated fees to renovate, expand or build a new Davies, but Vice President De Anna Breault stressed that no one will proceed with any plans against students' wishes.
The Davies Exploratory Committee, chaired by Breault, will administer a second "Pick To Make Your Opinion Stick" survey shortly before Thanksgiving break to determine what students are looking for in a student union.
The committee then will use the data to make a recommendation to the three governing bodies.
Some senators voting against the resolution, which passed 22-4, argued students mostly were unaware of Senate's resolution, saying there had been no coverage in campus media.
Senator Jon Radcliffe motioned to delay the resolution until next week, giving students more time to review the resolution's implications, but the motion was voted down 20-5.
Other senators said Davies improvements should be placed directly in students' hands through a referendum. Senator Justin Greif responded by holding up a copy of the Federalist Papers, saying students elected them to act in their best interest.
Breault stressed the importance of the survey.
"We're not saying 60 people will be speaking for 10,000," she said. "We want to give the survey as a guide for the
committee."
In February of 2003, a referendum to build a new student union was defeated overwhelmingly, with more than 78 percent of students voting it down in the highest Student Senate election turnout in 28 years.
Many senators said a lack of advertising and education about the issue were deciding factors in its defeat, something that would contrast with this year's campaign.
The Davies Exploratory Committee is hoping for one third of the student body to respond, building on a 25 percent student response to a similar survey last spring.