Davies Center changes almost finalized
New location, modern look are just two updates geared towards students
Tara Cegla
Issue date: 2/9/09 Section: Campus News
The UW-Eau Claire campus can expect to see a makeover in the coming months, with a new Davies Center and additional outdoor changes on the way.
Junior student body president Tim Lauer has been part of the planning process for the new Davies since July. He thinks the new student center will benefit the campus in many ways.
"It will be the first building project in quite sometime and this will get some momentum going to building new things," Lauer said. "There will be a lot of growth going on in Eau Claire, which will be a positive thing."
Beth Hellwig, vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students, said the last update to Davies was in 1991 and she is looking forward to a more modern student union.
"It's going to be the 'wow' building on campus," Hellwig said. "It's a destination where students will want to be."
Both Hellwig and Lauer have been on the steering committee, which is responsible for all the planning.
Currently, there are two ideas for the location of the future Davies. Hellwig said it will either remain in its current location or move to between the nursing building and the library. Hellwig thinks it is likely that the building will move to a new location, since it would be difficult for Davies to function normally while undergoing redevelopment.
In addition to the committee, a consultant came to Eau Claire to decide which parts of Davies need the most updates, Hellwig said. The consultant analyzed the dining and retail areas and studied the patterns of students.
Hellwig also said their will be more areas for students to gather and talk as well as more seating, which she feels will be a significant improvement for the lunch hour rush.
"It's like the student living room," Hellwig said.
Junior Kayleigh Hanson has a few things she would like to see changed as well.
"I would like there to be more seating," she said.
Hanson finds it difficult to sit anywhere in Davies during lunch time and she thinks a new seating area might encourage people to stay on campus to eat, rather than bring food from home.
Junior student body president Tim Lauer has been part of the planning process for the new Davies since July. He thinks the new student center will benefit the campus in many ways.
"It will be the first building project in quite sometime and this will get some momentum going to building new things," Lauer said. "There will be a lot of growth going on in Eau Claire, which will be a positive thing."
Beth Hellwig, vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students, said the last update to Davies was in 1991 and she is looking forward to a more modern student union.
"It's going to be the 'wow' building on campus," Hellwig said. "It's a destination where students will want to be."
Both Hellwig and Lauer have been on the steering committee, which is responsible for all the planning.
Currently, there are two ideas for the location of the future Davies. Hellwig said it will either remain in its current location or move to between the nursing building and the library. Hellwig thinks it is likely that the building will move to a new location, since it would be difficult for Davies to function normally while undergoing redevelopment.
In addition to the committee, a consultant came to Eau Claire to decide which parts of Davies need the most updates, Hellwig said. The consultant analyzed the dining and retail areas and studied the patterns of students.
Hellwig also said their will be more areas for students to gather and talk as well as more seating, which she feels will be a significant improvement for the lunch hour rush.
"It's like the student living room," Hellwig said.
Junior Kayleigh Hanson has a few things she would like to see changed as well.
"I would like there to be more seating," she said.
Hanson finds it difficult to sit anywhere in Davies during lunch time and she thinks a new seating area might encourage people to stay on campus to eat, rather than bring food from home.
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