[email protected]

At this week's Marquette Student Government meeting, Todd Vicker, executive director of the Alumni Memorial Union and auxiliary enterprisesBT, and Tom Ganey, director of facilities planning, design and constructionBT, presented a proposal for the renovation of the first floor of the AMU.,”

At this week's Marquette Student Government meeting, Todd Vicker, executive director of the Alumni Memorial Union and auxiliary enterprises, and Tom Ganey, director of facilities planning, design and construction, presented a proposal for the renovation of the first floor of the AMU.

The proposed renovations would include four new meeting rooms to be used by the university and student organizations, expansion of the Brew Bayou, a new location for the commuter lounge and the elimination of the Brooks Lounge on the first floor.

The goal of the renovations, according to MUSG President and College of Business Administration senior Dan Calandriello, is to "permanently solve the campus need for student organization space."

According to Calandriello, there have been a lot of "Band-Aids" for the problem of student space on campus, including the temporary locations at the former Campus Town Blockbuster and Carmel Hall.

"This renovation proposal is not simply a Band-Aid or a temporary fix for student organizations," Calandriello said. "It is a permanent fix that will allow student organizations on campus to prosper."

"The number of student organizations on campus has increased from 151 in 2001 to 232 today," Vicker said.

Additionally, Vicker said the number of student organizations that consistently reserve practice space in the AMU has increased from six in 2003 to 35 this year.

"This is still a very rough proposal and there is still room for changes," Ganey told the MUSG Senate.

The two presentations lasted more than an hour and a half due to questions and comments from the senators. Senators questioned aspects of the proposal, including the need for student "hang out" space, the expected costs and what will happen to equipment in the Brooks Lounge.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both Calandriello and MUSG Executive Vice President and College of Arts & Sciences junior Brock Banks called the presentations "good" and a "necessary communication step" in the possible renovation process.

In an effort to make themselves available to hear the opinions of students regarding this possible renovation and other issues or concerns, MUSG senators will host a "Meet Your Senator" Day today.

“