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Referendum to decide building's fate
by Nina Ansas
The university needs a new building, according to Michelle Dotter, vice president of administration
and finance, because enrollment has been steadily increasing. Students are sometimes unable to take
classes because of closed sections, which is partly due to the lack of space.
The Texas Legislature approved $30.9 million for construction of a new facility, and the university
is asking students for another $5 million to build recreational areas, lounge and study spaces and
offices for student
organizations. The Texas Higher Education Code allows the university to levy a fee for constructing
and maintaining a student center if a majority of voting students approve a building fee referendum.
"The state doesn't allow us to build a lot in terms of what they consider to be non-educational;
state money pays only for classrooms, labs and faculty space,"Dotter said.
According to Dotter, the university will levy a fee of $30 per spring and fall semester and $15 per
summer session, with a maximum of $30 per semester term, if the referendum passes. The fee increase
will commence the semester that ground is broken and continue for 20 years.
Construction is scheduled to begin either fall 2002 or spring 2003 and is expected to conclude
approximately two years thereafter.
If the referendum does not pass, the university will build a scaled-down facility and either reduce
or eliminate space for study areas, student organizations and recreation areas.
"I don't like the idea of paying when I won't be here to enjoy it,"said Shirley Wilson, an
undergraduate communication major. "I would rather see a rebuilding of the infrastructure and putting
in new computers and printers in the Delta Building. I've lost hours of work when everything
crashed."
The Student Services/
Classroom Building Task Force, which consists of students, faculty, staff and administration, decided
on a tentative allocation of space, said Sue Fellman, student life coordinator. Plans for the new
building include classrooms, staff and faculty offices, the writing and math centers, computer and
research labs and additional student space.
Enrollment Services, Health and Disability Services, Career and Counseling Services, Financial Aid
and student organizations also plan to move to the new location.
"About 28 years ago someone had a vision for this university, and they did what needed to be done
to make that vision come true,"Fellman said. "The students who come after us won't enjoy the same
educational experience we did because we have outgrown our space. It's an investment in the future."
A referendum commission consisting of students and adminisration officials compiled an
information letter that will be mailed to all students Nov. 19. Administration officials will answer
questions
concerning the referendum during two public forums, which will be held on campus later in November.
In addition, information tables will be set up in all three buildings, and the information will be
available on the university's Web site, Fellman said.
According to Steve Sutton, associate dean of students, there is no minimum percentage of votes
required; a majority of the votes cast will determine the outcome. Students can vote by
e-mail or by completing ballots available in the Bayou Building. As each student receives a ballot,
officials will remove the name from an enrollment list to ensure everyone votes only once, Sutton
said.
Voting by ballot will be anonymous, but e-mail votes must include the student's name and social
security number. Only Fellman and Sutton will have access to the e-mail account address. Sutton said
results of the referendum should be available Dec. 6, or the next day if the vote is close and
recounts become necessary.
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