UW-Eau Claire University Center
Steering Committee Meeting Minutes
June 2, 2009
Room 202, Schofield Hall 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Attendees: Beth Hellwig, Charles Farrell, Susan Harrison, Terry Classen, Michael Umhoefer
1. Michael Umhoefer gave his ideas on an internship related to the new university center. It would
include a website, email list, and a social event to network the University Center concepts through
the duration of the project. It would establish a face book fan club and get rid of the current
website under Charles’ group. Michael could be given access to the current website and work with
the webmaster from University Centers. The internship could also be used as a tool with faculty to
keep them informed. Michael will put some objectives together for this project and bring the
committee outcomes.
2. Dr. Hellwig has a phone meeting with Bray/Burt Hill tomorrow. She would like to brainstorm at
today’s meeting on what to discuss with them.
3. Dr. Hellwig met with a professor from Nursing yesterday. The professor was very upset with the
committee being insensitive to Nursing’s needs. It was explained there were some constraints such
as Little Niagara and the location of the loading dock.
4. Little Niagara is an issue because of the Department of Natural Resources. Moving Little Niagara
would likely require hearings, etc. Moving it may benefit the building but the Biology Department
would have issues. The committee would like to get a free estimate on what it would cost to move
the creek?
5. Nursing is worried about the loading dock. Smells, noise, etc. The committee needs to be stronger
in their statements to Bray/Burt Hill on improving the side of the building facing the Nursing
building.
6. Susan Harrison presented her ideas on combining the Nursing and Education buildings. There is a
problem with entering the new University Center from Nursing as you enter on the second floor and
then there is no elevator. Dr. Harrison came up with approximately twelve reasons for education
and nursing to combine into one building. Nursing could get new equipment and it could benefit
distance education and growth opportunities. It might then be possible to put bike racks, showers,
etc. in the existing Nursing building. Another thought was to put the Health Center in the Nursing
Building. She talked to three people who were at the Nursing meeting to find out their thoughts and
the outlook was positive. Most felt it would be better than having the new University Center in
front of them. Student Services is another possibility to move into a vacated Nursing building.
7. Should Susan Harrison as Chair of the University Senate go to the Chancellor to discuss combining
the Education and Nursing buildings? Other issues were raised concerning the Health Center being
on upper campus and having two colleges in the newest building on campus. Susan and Beth will
talk to the Chancellor or Mike Rindo. There is a possibility if the education building usage is revised,
the university could lose credibility with UW-System.
8. Concerns were raised on whether Nursing and Education would fit in the new building.
9. The drawing from University Centers was discussed. Services desk was not big enough and too
much space was allotted for the bank and printing. Dr. Hellwig will have Bray/Burt Hill talk directly
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
to Charles about these concerns. Michael wondered if Printing Services needs to develop a way for
students to email printing requests to Printing Services.
Charles met with various people who will populate the offices area in the new University Center.
Many concerns were raised. Charles will forward these comments to Beth.
Michael will provide suggestions about the Student Senate offices area by Friday.
Charles will meet with Sodexho representatives on Friday. Porter will work with Sodexho
representatives to redevelop a workable plan.
It was reported that the Bray/Burt Hill are trying to address the various concerns we have forwarded
to them. The Committee looks forward to seeing the different options they will provide us when we
meet in two weeks.
The level of accuracy of the cost analysis was discussed. How precise can it be at this stage? Did the
committee hear correctly that the final decision for LEED certification can wait until August?
Items that need to be confirmed include:
a. Size of ballroom, numbers that can fit in the ballrooms
b. Stage location & sight lines, lighting booth, height of stage (not tall enough)
c. Type of ceiling (different than a flat ceiling) and height (confirm 24’ for part and 12’ for
part with the other 12’ be used for mechanical above)
d. The way the large ballroom is divided may prevent unique ceiling for ballroom – could
have a vault from the stage area and divide off the side areas
e. Access to the small areas of ballrooms without going through back of the house
f. Use of a pentagonal shaped meeting room may cause problems – could the room be
made more rectangular using the remaining space for storage
g. How many bathroom stalls are now on the 3rd floor? More were requested.
h. Size of the Alumni Room now appears to be big enough for Student Senate – but what
will be the configuration of the room be? Would it have some concepts similar to the
Cargill room in Schneider? Concepts were discussed.
i. Could the two meeting rooms on the east end of the 3rd floor be one large dividable
room?
j. Have more stalls been added to the bathrooms on the first floor? Is there still a way to
reasonably put a family-type bathroom near the entrance on the 1st floor?
k. Near the cabin, has a small storage area been added under the stairs for cabin use?
l. Should the cabin have a permanent stage? A temporary stage has many more options,
but would require more gridding of the ceiling for various stage locations? Having a
permanent stage fixes the problems of where the sound, lighting, etc. goes. It would
bring the focus to it that it deserves. An idea of putting tables on the stage for
additional seating when performances aren’t scheduled was presented. What is the
Cabin? A lounge with coffee house type music or a coffee house where people hang
out? Should alcohol be served there? It could be available if it were financially self
supporting. If food were also served, would need space for it. Could one of the retail
areas be used for food retail? This would require investigation into the Sodexo contract
and food-related labor unions on campus. Charles will talk with Sodexo about
possibilities.
m. On south side of the University Center closest to the College of Nursing, have the
windows been changed to be more unique?
16. Meeting adjourned.