Shaking Things Up on Lower Sproul

After years of discussion, student focus groups are meeting this week to weigh in on possible renovations to Lower Sproul Plaza.

Student government officials said the groups are a sign that progress is being made on the long-debated project and will hopefully lead to a plan that avoids student fees as a funding source.

Student groups, campus planners and representatives from architectural firm SMWM have collaborated to organize the groups, the feedback of which will be used to develop a conceptual plan for the plaza.

If a plan is completed by the end of the academic year the project could be included on the chancellor’s fundraising campaign for various campus construction projects, which would open up doors for increased funding from outside donors, officials said.

ASUC Academic Affairs Vice President Joyce Liou, who has helped to organize the focus groups, said 100 undergraduates and 60 graduate students had signed up to participate in the discussions as of Friday afternoon.

Liou also said members of the ASUC, Graduate Assembly, campus capital projects department and SMWM have been meeting every other week to discuss the project’s progress and to ensure students are included in the planning.

At this time, the campus has estimated the bill for the planning phase of the project at about $115,000, with students expected to contribute $25,000 of that amount from fees, said Graduate Assembly President Joshua Daniels.

In later phases, which could cost millions of dollars, students would be expected to contribute more, he said.

However, student government officials said the project may not necessarily require a student fee increase because they might be able to find other sources of funding, including state money.

“We're looking at funding the project through a four-part system that includes funding from the campus, alumni, students and (businesses),” ASUC President Oren Gabriel said. “However, we're still not sure if there will be a fee increase.”

Daniels told the ASUC Senate last week that he and Gabriel were working to keep the fee increase as low as possible, if deemed necessary.

Daniels said he felt it may be beneficial for students to pay for some part of the project.

“There will always be some responsibility on the students, so we have some control over the process,” Daniels said. “If we contribute nothing, we cannot influence what (planners) do.”

Many members of the student government said the current conflict over the proposed Memorial Stadium renovation plan also contributed to their desire to be involved in the planning process.

“As I understand it, the current protest over Memorial Stadium is over the fact that there wasn’t enough of a student voice in the process,” Liou said. “We hope this outcome will be very different. If (the planning takes place) now, as opposed to later, the project ends up being something we want.”

Campus planners said that they welcomed the student involvement.

“If the current conflict galvanizes students, great,” said Cathy Koshland, vice provost for academic planning and facilities.

Koshland said students should get involved in the process now so that they ensure their voice is heard later.

“Good planning makes for projects that people really enjoy,” she said. “We need to plan a good project to entice both donors and students for funding.”

Haitham Alloun, the owner of The Coffee Spot in the Bear’s Lair, said while he was excited to see a new plaza draw more students to his business, he was worried that decisions might be made without his input.

“Whatever you are looking for, talk to us first,” Alloun said. “Give us the option to do what you want first.”

Alloun said he would be conducting his own survey to see what his customers wanted to see out of his shop.

“I hope for the best, and I hope for the students to keep us here,” he said.

Tags: