To: All
students, faculty, staff, alumni and University friends
From:
Acting President Geraldine Jones
I was delighted to meet with
students last month at the spring semester’s Student Convocation. It gave me a
chance to update them about our University’s progress, and to answer some thoughtful
questions about important matters such as financial aid, scheduling, dining
options, tuition and fees.
One topic that we touched on
briefly was the renovation of the Natali Student Center. That project will be
starting soon, so I’d like to share some additional information.
First, a little history: The original student center was
completed in 1970. (It was known back then as the California Memorial Union.)
It was renovated and expanded in 1992, and dining operations were moved from
Gallagher Hall in 2000.
In 2010, a survey conducted with WTW Architects assessed the needs of students,
faculty and staff. Our campus community expressed the need for a roomier dining
area, more retail food options, and more comfortable areas for students to
meet, work and socialize.
Because the student center is an “auxiliary” building,
tuition funds cannot be used to pay for improvements. So in 2011, our students
took a vote and agreed by referendum to increase the Student Center Fee to
cover the cost of renovations.
When I was named acting president, I immediately called a
halt to the project. Only after an in-depth review of the existing student
center — including the building’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing
deficiencies — did I and other administrators decide to proceed. Mindful of the
project’s cost, we trimmed $5 million from the original estimate.
Why go forward? Our decision hinged on the need to repair
serious problems with the student center’s aging infrastructure and outmoded
design. This building has been patched and repaired many times over the past
few years, and those repair costs will continue to rise if the building is
allowed to deteriorate.
This renovation is a practical, student-centered project,
designed to meet critical needs of the population we serve.
Student fees and Cal U’s debt load
are both serious concerns, and it is extremely important for the University to
balance those considerations with our students’ needs. Although academic
programming is certainly the primary consideration here at Cal U, the quality
of student life also plays an important role at any university. Renovating this
aging student center not only improves student life, but also provides a safer
environment for our students.
The project is scheduled to begin
shortly after Commencement. The building is scheduled to remain open while the
renovations are made. I will keep the campus community updated about the
project, and I look forward to the day when we re-dedicate a revitalized Natali
Student Center.
With best wishes,
![Signature of Acting President Geraldine Jones.]()
Meet Acting President
Geraldine M. Jones
