Committee seeks student opinion on possible services and amenities in new Howard
By Sydney Syverson
Dilapidated, ramshackle, disheveled and run-down are words that can be used to describe UP's recreational facility Howard Hall.
The Portland rain coupled with the fact that it was built in 1927 have made it evident that Howard Hall has seen better days. Because of the Task Force on Retention's recommendation that UP create a new recreational facility, Howard's days may be numbered.
According to John Goldrick, vice president of Office of Enrollment Management and Student Life, even though a new recreational facility will cost large amounts of money, it is a major priority for the university.
The Rev. Thomas Doyle, C.S.C., is the chair of the committee sanctioned to decipher the needs and preferences of the UP community in regards to a new recreational facility. The committee comprises fifteen members; including faculty, three students and a professional consultant.
"This isn't just about putting up a new gymnasium," Doyle said. "We're trying to get to the bottom of what kind of facility we need on campus to help support the emotional, physical and spiritual health of the students."
Currently the committee is in the initial planning stages. As part of the information collection stage, the committee has urged all members of the UP community to take an online survey.
The survey takes about five to seven minutes to complete, and will help the committee organize the priorities of the faculty, staff and students in regard to a new facility.
According to Doyle, as of Oct. 28 about 1,000 members of the UP community had taken the survey.
The survey begins with assessing where people live and how often they work out. Next, there is a list 21 features and programs. The survey asks participants to rate each feature according to personal preference, ad predict how often they would use them.
These include a therapeutic warm water pool, climbing wall, cardiovascular equipment and a juice bar. The survey closed Nov. 4.
After the survey is completed and information is collected, the next step is to have a number of open forums and sessions at the ASUP senate meetings to allow students, faculty and staff to become more familiar with the planning and to give their own recommendations and opinions.
Committee members hope to have all the information collected by March so they will then be able to give a comprehensive report to the University President, the Rev. William E. Beauchamp, C.S.C. Next, the committee will set a budget and spend at least a year on specific fundraising.
"It's hard to say how long it will take to raise the necessary funds for the new facility," Doyle said. "The economy is much different than it used to be."
"It will probably take about two years to design a permit and build a new building," Denis Ransmeier, vice president of Financial Affairs said. "And as for raising money - well, times are tough."
According to Doyle, although raising money for the new recreational facility will be important, raising money for scholarships will still be the University's main priority.
Students haven't been impressed with what Howard Hall has to offer, but with the help of this committee, their cries will now be heard.
"Howard Hall is really sad compared to other colleges," sophomore Lindsey White said. "It's tiny and old and reminds me of someone's basement."
Gonzaga University's recreational facility, the Rudolf Fitness Center, is 38,000 sq. ft. This center was built in 2003 because of the community's desire for expansion.
"I don't really use Howard Hall that often as of now," junior Elizabeth Vogel said. "But I think once they redo it, people will be a lot more inclined to actually use the facility."
Even though a new facility is years away, students can rest assured that planning has begun, and their recommendations and opinions about the facility are important.
"What we're trying to do now is really understand what the students feel they need," Doyle said. "This is our opportunity to dream not just about what we want it to look like, but what we want the spirit of the facility to be."
The committee is unsure about what will happen to Howard Hall once the new facility is completed.
"We might use it for storage space for a while, but it may eventually just have to come down." Doyle said. "Howard Hall isn't a good candidate for remodel-it just doesn't have good bones."
