In February 2007, a consultation was conducted to review Student Activities and the
Student Activities Center at the University of Louisville. The consultation outcomes
included:
• organizational relationship between Campus Life, Student Activities program,
Swain Student Activities Center (Building), and Recreational Sports;
• review existing "union" facilities to examine how student experiences may be
enhanced within the operations, programs and services of that area;
• utilization of space, design barriers, and allocation of space;
• ideas on renovation and expansion of facilities.
Sixty-eight recommendations were submitted for your consideration. February 2012
marks five years since the review was conducted and seems appropriate to review the
recommendations and what has been accomplished.
Recommendations
Recommendation 1: The Swain Student Activities Center should be the primary
connecting point for UofL commuter students.
Action: On-going efforts have been made to make the SAC a welcoming place for
commuter students. Engaging commuter students continues to be a significant focus for
the department.
Recommendation 2: The Swain Student Activities Center should be expanded for
College Union, Campus Activities and Recreation use.
Action: The Student Recreation Center (SRC) is expected to open in fall 2013. As
recreation relocates to the new SRC, SAC East first floor will be renovated for ‘Union”
facilities. The addition of 50,000 square feet is a significant enhance to the department.
Recommendation 3: Retain an architectural firm with experience in designing college
unions and recreational centers to determine feasibility and scope of renovation and
possible expansion of the Swain Student Activities Center.
Action: Sasaki and Associates and Sherman Carter Barnhart were retained and presented
a study on the expansion and renovation of the SAC in December 2006.
Recommendation 4: As an alternative to expanding the Center, explore relocating
Athletic offices to another facility on-campus.
Action: This recommendation is not feasible at this time
Recommendation 5: Once the bond debt is retired in 2007, the $15 fee should be
reallocated to the maintenance and operation of the Swain Student Activities Center.
Moving Forward
02/25/07
Action: The Bond fee has continued to be collected since the building debt was retired
in 2007. Multiple projects have been undertaken to make improvement in the SAC and
much needed maintenance. The fee is currently being “banked” to be utilized to fund the
renovation of SAC East first floor.
Recommendation 6: An organizational realignment should occur to provide greater
impact on the UofL student experience.
Model Two – Hybrid Union and Involvement
A second organizational model would bend Union/Activities and Student Involvement
into one department. The second model would also change Campus Life to Student Life
with modification for who would report to the Dean of Students. Recreation would be the
same as in model one.
U nion and Involvement
U nion and Involvement
D irector
Associate D ri ector
Acti vi ti es
Advi ser
R So
Associate D ri ector
Operati ons/Faci li ti es
Advsi er
Greeks
Buil ding Manag er
D ay
Buil ding Manag er
N ig ht
Student Bui ldi ng
Manag ers
Associate D ir ector
Prog rams
Advi ser
SAB
Associate D ir ector
Involvement
R ed Barn
Prog rams
C oordinator
Student Leader ship
C oordinator
Servi ce Lear ning
S tudent Li fe
A VP Dean of S tudent s
vacant
A dvise S GA
Director of Union
A nd I nvolvement
Director of A CCE S S
Director of Diabl it y
S ervi ces
Judical Of fi cers
Director of Recreat ion
and I ntramural S port s
Action: A modified version of the recommendation was adopted. As a result of a
reduction on force in May 2008 and evaluation of staff reorganization was implemented
in summer 2010. The current organizational structure is noted below:
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Moving Forward
02/25/07
Recommendation 7: Create a more welcoming environment for the Swain Student
Activities Center.
Action: This continues to be on-going as efforts are made to make the SAC more
inviting.
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Moving Forward
02/25/07
Recommendation 8: An information desk should be created to aid in navigating the
Center.
Action: An information desk will be added in the SAC East first floor renovation. A
temporary solution has been to open the office doors to the Student Activities office and
have student staff a front desk. Lost and found, ticket sales, locker rentals, directions and
meeting information are provided at the desk.
Recommendation 9: Develop the outdoor area on the west side near the Red Barn to be
more of a campus gathering and meeting area.
Action: The West Plaza project was completed in February 2011 enhancing the west side
of the SAC.
Recommendation 10: Viewscape the area around the railroad tracks.
Action: This has not been pursued given lack of funding.
Recommendation 11: Install comfortable lounge furniture in the Center.
Action: New lounge furniture was purchased in 2008.
Recommendation 12: Explore methods to inform students of quiet lounge areas in the
Center that are conducive for studying.
Action: Through social media positing, quiet areas of the SAC are promoted to the
campus community.
Recommendations 13: Add artwork throughout the Center.
Action: Beginning in 2009, Student Activities purchase two piece of artwork from the
Annual Art and Science Council art show. Four pieces have been purchased to date.
Recommendation 14: On the first floor, by the large screen television, install more
lounge furniture and remove most of the tables.
Action: A multi-functional lounge area has been created on the first floor. Next to
Jazzman’s Coffee Bar, lounge seating and table seating are mixed allowing for the
campus community to meet, watch television and socialize.
Recommendation 15: Install lockers, a microwave and refrigerator for use by commuter
students.
Action: Lockers were installed in 2007 in the SAC. A microwave and refrigerator are
maintained in Davidson in the Off Campus lounge.
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Moving Forward
02/25/07
Recommendation 16: The Red Barn support services should be administered by Center.
Action: Student Activities has taken a greater role in the maintenance, reservations and
oversight of the Red Barn.
Recommendation 17: Investigate a means to play music throughout the Center.
Action: Music is played on flat screen monitors throughout the SAC. However, with
more videos being shown, music will no longer be played throughout the day.
Recommendation 18: Install a DLP projector to display digital advertising for student
organization and departmental events.
Action: Flat screen monitors and software package were purchased in 2009 to allow for
display of announcement and promotion of events.
Recommendation 19: Enhance permanent building signage and create temporary
directional signage.
Action: Sign stands were purchased and placed throughout the Center to provide
directional signs for functions. Permanent signage has been updated and this is on-going
project as funding becomes available.
Recommendation 20: The outside of the Center needs to be cleaned.
Action: The “rust” strains were removed. However because of a design flaw, the strains
have reappeared on the west side.
Recommendation 21: If the main dining hall is to remain in the Swain Student Activities
Center, the seating configuration of the dining area should be modified to provide a more
intimate setting and separated from the multipurpose room.
Action: The Ville Grill opened in 2009 as the main dining facility at UofL. The SAC
MPR continues to be used as a dining area. The seating arrangement has been adjusted
and continues to be evaluated.
Recommendation 22: The Halftime Grill area should remove six-person tables and
replace them with four-person and two-person tables.
Action: With Sodexo selected as the food service provider for the campus, Halftime Grill
was renovated to Damons Grill. A variety of seating options are present.
Recommendation 23: Chartwells should introduce more of their in-house branded
concepts in the dining operations.
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Moving Forward
02/25/07
Action: Sodexo was selected as the food service provider replacing Chartwells. With
the change, new in-house brands have been introduced.
Recommendation 24: Create one convenience store with expanded product offerings.
Action: In 2008, the bookstore reduced its convenience store offerings, and Sodexo
operates the “QuickZone”.
Recommendation 25: Move Wendy’s to the main dining area and place Chick Fil A in
the food court area.
Action: Spring 2012, Chick Fil A will relocate to the lower level and be placed next to
Wendy’s. The area that Chickfila vacates will be converted to an in-house concept.
Recommendation 26: Initiate more display cooking in main dining area.
Action: Sodexo has introduced several options that have display cooking in the SAC.
Recommendation 27: Paint the concrete columns in the Center.
Action: This has been done in limited ways in the SAC in office spaces.
Recommendations 28: Provide more flexibility in the arrangement of meeting rooms.
Action: Stackable chairs and narrow tables were purchased and now provide greater
flexibility in the arrangement of meeting rooms
Recommendation 29: Make operating hours for entire building consistent.
Action: This has been accomplished
Recommendation 30: The Admission Preview room needs to be relocated with access
from the main hallway.
Action: Due to limited function space, the Preview room has not been relocated.
Signage has been used to provide clearer direction to the room.
Recommendation 31: The Bookstore should be renovated.
Action: The renovation of the bookstore is under study and a future direction will be
determined within the next year.
Recommendation 32: Place a Cyber Café in the Center where the current Bookstore
convenience food area is located.
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Moving Forward
02/25/07
Action: In 2008, Jazzman’s Café was opened and computer work stations installed. SAB
provides musical programming in the area.
Recommendation 33: Examine the possibility of adding retail space in the Center
Action: With limited space, retail space has not been added.
Recommendation 34: Move the Credit Union to another location within the Center.
Action: The Class Act Credit Union relocated in summer 2011 to Cardinal Towne
Recommendation 35: Explore being reimbursed by the Physical Education department
for courses being taught in the Recreation area.
Action: With the new SRC a closer relationship has been created for Physical Education
courses.
Recommendation 36: Develop a conference services business.
Action: Student Activities is active in soliciting conferences for the SAC. ASCA, ACPA
and NACA have held institutes at the SAC in the last four years.
Recommendation 37: Explore the feasibility of charging faculty and staff a nominal fee
for use of the Recreation Center.
Action: Recreation doe sasses a nominal fee for faculty and staff.
Recommendation 38: Make the RSO space and services more visible in the Swain
Student Activities Center
Action: This is an on-going effort. RSO area has been created within the Student
Activities suite with computers, lockers and supplies. RSO use it primarily for small
group meetings.
Recommendation 39: Review the Event Policy guidelines with focus on appropriate
staffing levels for events.
Action: The Event Policy is being revised with a focus on risk assessment to provide
appropriate staffing.
Recommendation 40: The Speech and Distribution policy should be overseen by the
Dean of Students in conjunction with the Director of Union and Activities.
Action: The Speech and Distribution policy has been revised and is overseen by the
Dean of Students.
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Moving Forward
02/25/07
Recommendation 41: Develop a prioritized list of gift opportunities for the Division of
Student Affairs.
Action: This has been accomplished.
Recommendation 42: Investigate the sound acoustics of the multipurpose room and
identify a course of action.
Action: For large events, sound equipment is positioned to provide quality sound and
reduce negative impact of the acoustics of the room.
Recommendation 43: Give the game room a face-lift.
Action: The Game Room is well maintained and may be renovated in the future.
Recommendation 44: Create the Swain Student Activities Center Governing Board.
Action: This has not been accomplished. The Student Government Association has
served to provide feedback and suggestions.
Recommendation 45: Create a classification system for facility reservations.
Action: This has been accomplished.
Recommendation 46: Dining Service catering should utilize the EMS scheduling
software to be fully integrated with the Center.
Action: Dining Services continues to use their own software system. Reservations for
the Sac can now be viewed on the web site. Good communication between the SAC and
Dining Services allows for good service to be provided.
Recommendation 47: Implement a one-year advance reservation process.
Action: Process is being developed to implement an advance reservation process in the
next year.
Recommendation 48: Encourage student organizations to create paper banners that can be
hung inside the Center to advertise events.
Action: Supplies are available for student organizations to make banners. Organizations
and departments do hang banner in designated areas of the SAC. In addition,
organization are allowed to “paint” windows in the SAC to promote activities
Recommendation 49: Provide shuttle bus service until 11:15 pm on weeknights to the
Center.
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Moving Forward
02/25/07
Action: This has not been pursued.
Recommendation 50: Install 10-minute parking next to the Center.
Action: Short term (metered) parking was added next to the old Campus health building.
Recommendation 51: Determine if the staffing for housekeeping operations is at an
appropriate level using the Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers “Custodial
Staffing Guidelines for Educational Facilities”.
Action: This continues to be an on-going evaluation.
Recommendation 52: Move supervision of housekeeping staff under the Associate
Director for the Center.
Action: Supervision of housekeeping staff remains under the department of Physical
Plant. The Assistant Director and Building Managers regularly inspect the SAC and
provide feedback to housekeeping supervisors.
Recommendation 53: The Center should explore creating new revenue streams.
Action: The development of conference services and fundraising offer the strongest
channels for increased revenue.
Recommendation 54: Athletic camps should be charged the same amount for rental of
facilities as other groups.
Action: Athletic camps are charged facility fees for use of the SAC.
Recommendation 55: Create a 10-year maintenance plan for the Student Center.
Action: This is an on-going effort and has not been completed.
Recommendation 56: Examine the Student Activities Board operation and organization
to determine if restructuring of the Board is needed.
Action: The Student Activities Board has been restructured in 2009. Evaluation of SAB
is on-going.
Recommendation 57: The Center should review its audiovisual fees and revised if
needed.
Action: This has been accomplished.
Recommendation 58: The Center should develop an audiovisual student staff crew.
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Moving Forward
02/25/07
Action: This is under development and hopefully will be implemented in the next two
years.
Recommendation 59: Develop a 10-year facility master plan for the Swain Student
Activities Center.
Action: The initial master plan was developed and determined not to be feasible because
of cost estimates. The plan continues to be refined and adjusted.
Recommendations 60: Include a clause in the beverage rights contract for the donation of
product to Student Affairs.
Action: This has not been accomplished and does not appear to be feasible with the
existing contract.
Recommendation 61: Once the reorganization has taken place and other
recommendations implemented, an outreach effort should take place to promote the
changes.
Action: Outreach to the campus continues to be an on-going effort.
Recommendation 62: Expand the student staff program for the union operation.
Action: This is an on-going effort. The number of student staff will grow in the next
several years with the SAC East first floor renovation.
Recommendation 63: Continue Recreation’s strong partnership with Athletics.
Action: Recreation continues to have a good partnership with Athletics
Recommendation 64: The Student Activities Center should take greater advantage of
partnership opportunities.
Action: This is an on-going effort. Good partnerships have been estiablished with
Sodexo, Admissions, First Year Intitiatives and the Bookstore.
Recommendation 65: Enhance the web pages of departmental areas.
Action: This has been accomplished and is an on-going effort.
Recommendation 66: Insure that all areas are conducting assessments.
Action: This is an on-going effort.
Recommendation 67: The Directors within Student Affairs should develop proposals for
future growth and development of their areas.
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Moving Forward
02/25/07
Action: This is an on-going effort.
Recommendation 68: Insure that proper documentation is being maintained.
Action: Records and documents are being properly maintained and compiled in annual
reports.
Notes
CAS Professional Standards for Higher Education, 6th Edition Council for the
Advancement of Standards in Higher Education, Laura A Dean, editor: 2006.
Custodial Staffing Guidelines for Educational Facilities, Association of Higher Education
Facilities Officers, Jack C. Dudley Editor: 1994.
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