Through November 2005

1988-1990

  • Board of Trustees discussed renovation and expansion of Memorial Union
  • Memorial Union Program Development Committee determined needs
  • Architectural drawings for renovation were developed
  • Academic facility needs took priority – Union renovation deferred
 

1998-2000

  • Task Force on Residential Life (students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees) conducted extensive study of campus life
  • Surveyed students, faculty and staff
  • Conducted listening sessions with alumni as well as students, faculty and staff
  • Visited other campuses toured residential, dining, and campus center facilities
 
 
 
 

Oct - 2000

Board of Trustees accepted and approved Task Force Report recommendations:

 
  • Affirm the centrality of the residential nature of the institution
  • Provide a high quality food service that is responsive to student needs
  • Enhance on-campus housing conditions and residential facilities
  • Expand the opportunity for students to experience the benefits of group living
  • Plan and construct a new campus center to include central dining facilities and to serve as the centerpiece for campus life
 

2000–2001

  • Campus Center Planning Committee (students, faculty, and staff) met to develop ideas about program spaces
  • Sasaki Associates developed plans and examined site options
 

May - 2001

  • Board of Trustees authorized funding for Sasaki Associates to proceed with early design development plans
  • Sasaki Associates charged with studying the “quad river site” to identify any complications with that location
 

Oct - 2001

  • Board of Trustees voted to proceed with the design of a campus center on the quad river site on a schedule to be determined
 

2001-2002

  • President Warch’s visits to alumni clubs and campus talks featured “Envisioning the Campus of Tomorrow” with an emphasis on the plans for new campus center

Jan - 2002

  • “Brown Paper” sessions – students asked for reactions to images of sample interior spaces for campus center
  • Students met with Trustee Committee on Student Affairs and re-affirmed strong need for campus center
 

May 2002

  • Board of Trustees endorsed a “pause” in the planning of the campus center (concerns about scope, site, and cost)
  • [Note:  During 2001-2003 student attention and feedback were focused on design and construction of Hiett Hall, which opened fall 2003]
 

Fall 2004

  • Campus Center Planning Group (students, faculty and staff) re-convened to revise/reduce scope of campus center plan
  • Faculty Capital Campaign Task Force reinforced need for campus center
 

Dec - 2004

  • Recommendations from Campus Center Planning Group are shared with architects and local trustees
 

Jan - 2005

  • Uihlein-Wilson architects met with faculty groups and President Beck to discuss possible re-use of Downer and Memorial Union
 
  • Board of Trustees expressed support for continuation of planning and the location of a new campus center on the Hulbert House site

Mar - 2005

  • Uihlein-Wilson selected KSS to serve as design consultants

Oct - 2005

  • Board of Trustees re-affirmed its commitment to raise funds and identified the campus center as the priority for fund-raising in the “quiet” phase of the capital campaign

Sept - 2005

  • Uihlein-Wilson worked with KSS architectural design firm, kitchen/dining consultants, engineers and University staff to confirm site, verify program elements, and establish LEED goals

Nov - 2005

  • “Brown Paper” sessions to get student/faculty/staff reactions to design features
  • Open meetings with students and faculty/staff to gain input on design