Excerpt from The Guardian
Wright State University Student Government Association (SGA) released findings from their campus-wide survey which was conducted from February 18 through March 1.
Anticipating the next phase in the push for a new recreation facility on campus, the campus-wide referendum vote will become available throughout next week.
“Wright state is losing many potential students to other universities that provide superior student life experiences,” states the passed resolution to hold the referendum vote. “In an attempt to provide a more superior student life experience for the students that call Wright State home, the Student Government Association believes it is necessary for us to create additional resources to meet this need.”
The resource that SGA is heading would bring an independent recreation facility to campus.
Background:
The current Student Union (SU) facility houses a recreation center along with several other amenities that provide for students but have become dated.
The current structure was built in 1969 with additions and renovations throughout the 70s and 90s. The most recent renovation of the SU was in 2006 with space still limited for the needs of the community.
Last semester, members of SGA began to push for data and research on ways to improve our current campus; an independent recreation facility became the focus initiative.
In late February, a survey was conducted of the 15,000 students by Brailsford and Dunlavey. The goal of the survey was to determine if there was an interest. The survey also determined which of the three different types of recreation facilities students would be interested in and the resources inside it.
The responses overwhelmingly voted for the initiative, choosing the concept that allowed for more spaces, courts and other amenities. The construction of a new building would result in the renovations of our current SU.
The referendum that SGA will be sending out to the student population on Monday, April 8, will allow the community to decide if this is a project to proceed into the next phase of completion.
If the referendum passes, it will move to the next phase of being approved by the WSU Board of Trustees and then to the Chancellor of Higher Education.
A student advisory committee will be created, with members of SGA actively playing a role and general student body members weighing in on decisions.
The breakdown of the proposal:
SGA broke down all the amenities they found the campus community wanted and looked for ways to improve the current situations of classrooms and facilities:
- Kinesiology and Health, athletics such as club sports, recreation and programs are currently competing for time and space at the Nutter Center
- Students are currently traveling to the Nutter Center for classes
- A new facility would mean more student employment opportunities
The fee:
According to the proposal, a campus-wide student fee would consist of $260 per semester added into tuition.
This would be allocated to construction, operation and maintenance costs toward the new facility as well as renovating the current space in SU.
That fee would not be implemented on student tuition until after the construction starts, which is anticipated for 12-24 months after all approvals.
This fee allows for the initiative to be a completely stand-alone, self-sustaining facility.
SGA believes that with state capital funding, students could see a lower fee.
