MC Ground Floor plans presented to student leaders
University officials met with student leaders yesterday to share plans for the ground floor of the Marvin Center. The plans show the former grocery store becoming an area that houses representatives from various student service departments.
According to students who attended the meeting, University officials met with representatives from the Student Association, Marvin Center Governing Board, WRGW, GW Green, and other orgs on Thursday afternoon.
Many of the students left the meeting convinced that the University’s plan was a good one for the space. Some, however, were annoyed that the gathering was less of a meeting and more of an information session. One person in attendance said the University handed out slides and gave a compelling presentation of what is going to happen, without room for negotiation.
The plans say that phase one began in Jan. 2007, meaning that the University made up its mind on what to construct long before consulting the students. The group was told that construction will begin next week, said one attendee.
The area that will house reps from three different student service departments, the idea being that students will only need to go to one central location. The area will be completely used by the University and not for student orgs.
When District Market closed last year, the University remained non-committal as to whether or not the space would be given to students. SA leaders wanted to push for more office space for student orgs while others wanted to create a student lounge or café.
One student, who asked not to be identified due to the private nature of the meeting, said the meeting was “frustrating” because while questions were entertained, it was clearly decisions had already been made long ago.
However, he added: “I think it will totally turn around the way students perceive university systems, if it works correctly.”
While Thursday’s meeting was for student leaders, another presentation will be made to campus media on Monday.
Stay with The Daily Colonial for more details on the plans for the ground floor of the Marvin Center.