PUB transition plan in the works

Building closure raises issues with office relocation, on-campus events

Andrew Garten

Copy Editor

According Scott Saunders, Director of Student Programs, there’s been a lot of work done to develop a transition plan for the renovation of the PUB, and there is still much work to be done. The President’s Leadership Team has designated Beverly Brandt, Vice President for Administrative Services, as the lead administrator for this planning process. The Programming Council (consisting of several of the offices that plan student programs), Student Government, and the Student Services Division Directors are among the groups that are involved in developing suggestions for the Transition Plan.

The relocation of offices and functions has not yet been finalized. A meeting will be held Nov. 14 at 3 p.m. regarding a proposal for re-locating Student Programs (including Student Government, student clubs, ticket sales, Campus Ambassadors, Arts & Entertainment Board, and Transfer Tutoring). currently housed in the PUB. The location of the meeting is currently in the Small Conference Room, but may be relocated to accommodate a larger group of people.

Major student-sponsored events, such as Multicultural Week, Shoreline Splash and MLK Day may find a home in the Campus Theater. Preliminary discussions have begun with the drama and music department faculty and the Theater Manager on this idea. While the Campus Theater has a very busy schedule, there is a good spirit of cooperation by all parties, said Saunders. Several other possible venues for smaller student programs and events have been identified, but work needs to be done on developing schedules and reservations.

According to Saunders, parts of the PUB Transition Plan yet to be implemented include signage to locate the transitional offices, signage for new pathways on campus to avoid construction zones, scheduling venues for programs and events that typically happen in the PUB, identifying lounge space for students to rest, study and talk, relocation of the ATM and Stamp machines, what to do about the electronic video games in the PUB, what to do about campus vendors and information tables, and the impact of turning the courtyard into a construction area such as moving Whidbey’s Coffee. Programming Council meets every Friday from 9 - 10:30 a.m. in the PUB Fishbowl.

In addition, the Student Government recently created a comprehensive list of suggested study spaces for study groups, which are under review. This will help with the loss of study space that will occur during the PUB closure. The various leadership organizations on campus are very busy working to make our campus comfortable for students, faculty and staff during the 18 months of construction that the project will require.