University Center Advisory Board

December 11, 2002

4:30 – 6:00 p.m.

Members present: Carmen Abeyta, Becky Coffrin, Jeff Davis, Robert King, Anthony Martinez, Tara Miller, Olivia Sebastian, Samantha Villarreal, Mary Yates

Members absent:  Danny Bristol, Christi-Marie Butler, Randy Cubero, Tally Paulich, Gayla Gallegos

Guests:  Susan Jiron

Jeff Davis opened the meeting at 4:35 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.   A meeting agenda was distributed.  The members introduced themselves. 

Room Rental Policy suspension.  Jeff explained that due to the budget cuts the campus is experiencing, the Room Rental Policy that was to be effective Fall 2002 is suspended until next fiscal year. 

Campus One Card Program.   The One Card has the campus ID and the food service programs modules.  In Spring 2003, the card will have door entry for the University Center and Public Safety and vending access in certain areas.  The campus will also be a test site for a voting module of the One Card Program, with Student Government and Faculty elections. 

Posting Policy update was postponed.

Budget Review.  Jeff noted that general figures show the University Center half way through the budget year - is doing well. 

Food Service Contract review.  The University Center ended a five year contract with Sodexho on 5/31/02.  Sodexho was selected via an RFP by the Food Service Advisory Board to continue for the next 3 years with 2 – 1 year options.  There have been several changes to the retail side of Food Service since the renewal of the contract.  An impinger oven was added to the Sub Connection, Fire and Ice station replaced the Taste of the Springs – where hand tossed salads are prepared to order, the Grill added new areas and changed the way items are ordered to accommodate made to order, the Mexican area added the ultimate burrito.  Jazzman's has become a gathering area for students and had upgraded the coffee to Seattle's Best.  The Food Service Advisory Board met last week and a discussion of comparison of the Lodge and Overlook ensued.  Tim Miller, Sodexho Manager, will address issues brought up at the meeting and revisit them at the next Food Service Advisory Board meeting. 

Lodge piano proposal.  Connie Ott, LAS, called to offer a piano – upright or baby grand.  Glenn Whitehead offered one to the University Center as a permanent addition in the Lodge.  This would eliminate the moving of the piano from the University Center to the Lodge.  A discussion of storage space, space taken in banquet rooms of Lodge, and security and protection of the piano ensued.  It was noted that the advantages of having a piano permanently in the Lodge outweigh the issues of upkeep, protection, and storage space.  Jeff will contact Glenn to accept an upright piano and check into appropriate security and space for the piano. 

Semester Break projects.  The gym floor will be refinished from December 23 – 24 with curing and hardening lasting through December 27.  The Locker Rooms will be renovated with a textured floor system similar to the weight room and pedestal style benches.  The Varsity Locker Rooms and Training Room will be renovated to become one large room with dividers, creating a space for game-day taping and therapy.  There will be added a wet area for hydrotherapy.  Countertops will be changed out to match the University Center design.  Tara Miller asked how long this renovation will take.  Jeff noted that it is scheduled to take two weeks and that it will impact the games on January 3 -4, 2003.  Tara questioned if there will still be separate men's and women's varsity locker rooms.  Jeff noted that the new Training Area will be one large room with divisions, but not separated as before. 

Building Tenet Reports.  Anthony Martinez reported for the Bookstore.  He noted that sales are up this semester.  Jeff noted that Jazzman's coffee will be open 7:30 am – 2:00 pm over the break. 

Olivia Sebastian asked that the board entertain an issue of the chair rental charge.  Jeff explained that last year the University Center looked at rental chair charges for events for student clubs/organizations and departments.  Party Time and Bruno's (now bought out by Party Time) charge $0.98 per chair and a $35.00 delivery charge (extra charges could also apply for specific pick up and drop off times).  After discussing the issue of chair rental with the Director of Student Auxiliary Services and Scheduling it was decided that the University Center would purchase 400 chairs for departments and student clubs/organizations to rent.  Facility Services permitted the storage of the chairs in the Science Building Storage area.  The rental fee of $0.25 per chair and $25.00 delivery charge (with no additional charges) was to be used to repay the cost of the chairs and enhance the University Center facility.  Olivia asked that the student clubs/organizations be exempt from the chair rental charge due to that the chairs were essentially purchased with student fees and that the students' use would be a small percentage.  A discussion ensued.  Mary noted that the original intent of the chair purchase was to save the campus community a rental charge from $0.98 to $0.25 per chair and the savings on delivery charge, but that the issue that Olivia has brought forward is valid.  Becky Coffrin stated that student clubs/organizations have little money and that this would be a benefit to the clubs/organizations to not be charged.  The board agreed that the student clubs/organizations should not be charged for the use of the chairs, but it was undetermined whether a delivery charged will apply. 

Third Floor Art proposal.  Susan Jiron, president of SAC (Student Artist Connection), presented a proposal for the third floor lobby area of the University Center to be renovated into a 'Focal Point Gallery' for student artists.  She noted that the campus does not have a designated student gallery space.  This would require construction of mobile walls and an enclosed storage area for artwork on the northeast corner of the third floor lobby.  This area would be supervised by Susan.  The student artwork will be chosen through a criteria set forth by Jerry Riggs, students, and their class professors before being placed for display.  It was asked what would happen to the lounge area and its furniture.  The gallery would be designed to enhance the seating/lounge area and the sofas and tables would still be used, some may be stored in the constructed storage space, if needed, for three dimensional artwork or sculpture.  A discussion ensued of how accessible the lounge area would remain, would the gallery obstruct the walkways or egress, would the gallery displays block the windows, what electrical requirements would be needed, who is paying for the construction and labor, whether the gallery should be a year-round program or if is should be open for a few months at the start up, how much money has been raised towards this project at present, how is the displayed artwork to be secured – would a security waiver be needed, does this set precedence for other departments and clubs/organizations.  The board agreed that this proposal needs to be reviewed once a written business plan has been presented.  The plan will include details of construction, labor, and maintenance costs; sourcing and distribution of funding; displays and artwork security; artwork selection criteria; and method of determination of gallery supervision selection.   

Meeting ended at 6:27 p.m.  The next UCAB meeting is to be announced. 

Respectfully submitted by Samantha Villarreal.