â??(Other UW schoolsâ??) unions are so much more modern than ours.â?

Certain parts of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Union could be getting a facelift soon in an effort by the Union Policy Board (UPB) to make the building more appealing to students.

Areas that may be targeted for renovation include the Wisconsin Room, the external staircase outside of the UWM Bookstore, the atrium and the Union Ballroom“s foyer. The renovation to the staircase outside the bookstore would be budgeted for the 2007-“08 academic year; with the other renovations possibly coming later.

If this initiative passes, previously proposed budget items like a new floor in the Art Gallery, new furniture for the Parking & Transit office and $25,000 for renovations to the Terrace may be pushed back until after 2007-“08.

UWM Union Director Scott Gore said that the Union is not only vital for current UWM students, but also for prospective students, calling it “a showplace” and a vital part of the school“s outreach and recruiting.

“My intention is to make this building more comfortable,” Gore said.

Gore added that in addition to a cosmetic change, renovations could potentially bring more revenue to the bookstore. Gore estimated that the last time the UWM Bookstore was renovated was about 20 years ago.

Members of the Student Association (SA) were also present at the meeting, and voiced concern with how much input students would have in any changes to the Union.

“Students don“t really have a say once the money floats over to the division (of Student Affairs),” said SA At-Large Sen. Russel Scott. “I“m trying to save students money on next year“s tuition.”

Scott thinks that if large amounts of segregated fee money are being moved around without student input, that the SA could potentially create a committee to oversee what is done with student money.

SA President Samantha Prahl said that what the SA wants is to ensure that students have a voice in any major renovations to the Union.

She also added that in tours of other UW system schools, she has seen the impact that a student union has on a university and said that a renovated Wisconsin Room could help make the Union more of a destination.

“(Other UW schools“) unions are so much more modern than ours,” Prahl said.

According to Gore, the Union was built in four separate phases, which sometimes makes the building feel disjointed.

“We want to make the facility more continual,” Gore said.

The next step in any possible renovations will be taken at the next UPB meeting, which will take place on the afternoon of Monday, Feb. 19. For information on that meeting, visit the UWM Post“s news blog at blog.uwmpost.com.

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