The first question that many have is “Why do we need a new SU?”  In 1961 the University Center was built to house a student body of 3,600.  As the campus grew, additions were made to the UC such as the Bookstore, the West Atrium, and the renovated cafeteria to try to accommodate the flourishing campus growth.  However, as of last fall (Fall 2007), UMKC has matured to a study body of roughly 14,500 students, and based on research studies, there is an expected 21% increase in our student population by the year 2011.  Even with our current student body, many organizations and clubs struggle to find meeting spaces due to lack of vacancy in the UC, and by 2011, our current UC will not be meeting the needs of its students.  To put it plainly, we simply have outgrown our UC. 

With this increased demand for space, UMKC invited Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D), a facility planning firm, to help kick-off the Student Union project in January of last year.  During that Spring Semester of 2007, B&D conducted a student survey and focus groups to brainstorm the services and amenities students want in their New Student Union.  By June 2007, B&D released a Student Union Feasibility Study report which showed the student body desired a new SU to be built that would allow more food options, computer and lounge space, more organization meeting rooms, a theater, and many other amenities including a want for LEED Certification (making it an environmentally friendly building).   In response to this, a referendum, approved by your Student Government Association, was put to a student vote on November 14 - 16, 2007.  Roughly 1,500 students turned out and approved a new fee of $16.75 per credit hour, capped at 12 hours to support the building of a new SU.  That amount comes to $201 a semester.  This fee is scheduled to be charged upon the opening of the SU in Fall 2011.

Since the passed referendum, the fee has been reduced to $13.75 per credit hour, capped at 12 hours a semester or $165 a semester.  This fee, once again, will be charged upon opening of the building.  Those that actually get the opportunity to use the facility will be paying for it.  In addition to that, your current UC fee of $6.02 per credit hour (as of Fall 2007) will be redirected toward the SU to help cover some of the maintenance and operation costs of the building.  You will continue to pay this UC fee all the way through opening of the SU. 

Since the referendum, volunteer committees were formed by students and administration alike to work together to create a plan and program that will not only reflect the desires of students today, but the needs and wants of future students as well.  Hundreds of hours of discussion, some intense and some laid back, took place this past spring of 2008 within these committees to create this program for you.  What we have done now is created a working model of what should and should not be included in the new SU.  This does not mean we have decided exact details or created blueprints, but that we know what styles of elements belong in our New U.  Many of these program elements you will see incorporated into the different designs. We had our first virtual Student Union open house on July 17th. Click here  to see the recorded version of the Live Broadcast.  You can see the final three of the many applicants that applied to be the design/construction firms for your SU.  I highly encourage you to investigate each one of them and ask any and all questions that you may have.  Enjoy your time here and don’t forget to check out our website at http://www.umkc.edu/union  where you can see all of RFP Open House presentations and give us your feedback here. The podcasts will be accessible as soon as we can get them posted.  And if you are interested in becoming part of our Planning Committee, please write your name and contact information on the sheet by the door.  I would love for you to make a difference at UMKC.  We will be looking forward to working with you soon!
 
Once again thank you for your time and have a wonderful day!
 
Nicholas A. Clark
 
Student Union Planning Committee Student Chair
Year-4 Medical Student
Nac7v3@umkc.edu

Together, we can build a better union for our entire campus community!