The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

SGA Launches New Project SLUnion

The campaign for support of a new student union officially launched this week as Project SLUnion.

Led by Student Government Association President Jay Perry, the goal of Project SLUnion is to make a “new” student union on campus a reality, whether as a renovated Busch Memorial Center (BMC) or as an entirely new building.

“Basically it’s a two-month initiative ending with a final report to the board of trustees,” Perry explained.

The first part of the project is to acquire student support and input. Surveys have been posted on the Internet, in The University News and will be distributed among students.

“The whole survival of this plan is based on the survey phase,” Perry said. “If there is no inputs from the students, it will fail.”

Story continues below advertisement

The surveys are meant to be unbiased, said Perry.

The questions evaluate the current use of the BMC and inquire about other possible student union features such as a movie theater, pharmacy, college pub and many other ideas.

The survey also gives statements that students are asked to indicate their level of agreement.

The surveys are due by Nov. 3 in the SGA office or in the box just inside the BMC.

Following the surveys, the SGA will host a “Rally for the Union” on Nov. 4 in the Quad.

Interim Vice Provost of Student Development Kathy Humphrey supports hearing the student’s opinions.

“I think that what Jay [Perry] is trying to do is find out what the students want. I’m interested to hear the students’ opinions,” Humphrey said.

When asked if the administration supported the plan, Humphrey responded, “Everybody in this University is dedicated to meeting the needs of the students.”

Joe McCarthy, assistant executive vice-president for planning and management systems, supports a student union but emphasizes that “any change needs to go through a detailed planning and business analysis.”

Concerning the financial responsibility of such a plan, Dan Whelan, vice president for development and university relations, said, “I think we can definitely generate some interest [among donors].”

“We will have to look at substantial donors,” added Whelan pointing out that some major contributors may wish to bestow their name upon the complex if a new union is approved.

“To what extent we can fund this is too early to tell,” Whelan said.

Humphrey summarized the launch of Project SLUnion. “The bottom line is that we need to assess the needs of the students,” Humphrey said.

Leave a Comment
Donate to The University News
$1410
$750
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Saint Louis University. Your contribution will help us cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
Donate to The University News
$1410
$750
Contributed
Our Goal

Comments (0)

All The University News Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *