Student Union Renovation/Expansion

Goals of the Renovation/Expansion
• Create a student union that is user-friendly, brighter, comfortable ("homey"), and student- oriented.
• Expand the facilities available to the campus community for programming and meetings.
• Create a Student Involvement Center that brings together student organizations into one location and ties them more closely to the Student Activities office.
• Renovate Dining Services facilities to create a facility that provides more flexibility to meet the changing needs of students and a more comfortable dining experience for students.
• Create a front door for the campus.
• Bring student services to the students through an Integrated Services Concept which includes admissions, financial aid, cashier, registrar, orientation and Ranger Card.
• Firmly establish the student union as the center of student life and activities on campus.
• Correct infrastructure problems and upgrade aging building structures.

Building History
• The Parkside Union was built in 1976 at a cost of $3.5 million, funded entirely by Student Fees.
• The Parkside Union was redecorated and refurbished in the spring of 1989.
• In 2004, the Segregated Fee Allocation Committee and Parkside Student Government Association approved $21 million in student fees to fund a renovation and expansion of the current facility.
• In 2006, the Segregated Fee Allocation committee approved an additional 1.1 million for the project.

Need for Renovation
The University of Wisconsin - Parkside Student Union facility, constructed in 1976, provides minimal space for Student Activities and Student Life programming needs. Due to budgetary constraints, the small amount of programming space planned for the Student Union was eliminated during original construction. The campus was entirely a commuter institution until 1986 when the first residence hall (University Apartments) was constructed. With the addition of a second residence hall (Ranger Hall) in 1997, the campus established an on campus residence hall population of over 800 students. Future plans include constructing additional residence hall space. The demands for student activities and student life programming space has increased dramatically since Ranger Hall’s opening. Considering the strain on existing space the current residence halls have created, future residence halls cannot be pursued until an adequate Union facility is developed.

The relocation of the Bookstore and student organizations from Wyllie Hall to the Student Union allows Information Services, Library Services, and other Student Services needs to be met within Wyllie Hall; the relocation of the Office of Admissions and student organizations from Molinaro Hall to the Student Union allows the School of Business & Technology, Geography, Geology, and Sociology/Anthropology needs to be met within Molinaro Hall; and the relocation of auxiliary vendors and student organizations from Greenquist Hall to the Student Union allows the Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Nursing program needs to be met within Greenquist Hall.

Student Union Financial Facts
Estimated Costs
Construction: $18,362,000
Hazardous Materials Abatement: $100,000
A/E Design & Other Fees: $1,651,000
DSF Project Management: $798,000
Contingency: $1,477,000
Movable Equipment: $923,000
Special Equipment: $1,200,000
Percent for Art: $61,000
Estimated Total Project Cost: $24,572,000
*Note: The architects will verify these costs during the early phases of design. Costs are subject to change due to fluctuations in construction materials and stainless steel.

Renovation/Expansion financing
The Parkside Union Renovation/Expansion is estimated to cost $24.57 million.

The funding sources for are: $23 million in Student Fees and $1.5 million in General Program Revenue dollars.

There may be revisions to the budget during the renovation, due to the competitive construction market, changes to the scope of the project, and unanticipated expenses for Food Service and AV/Technical Equipment.

Budget Revisions
Any budget revisions will be reported in this section over the course of the project.

Student Fees
The student fees to support the project are spread out over 30 years. In the 2004-05 school year the student fee to support the Parkside Union Renovation/Expansion is $95.52 per student. This will increase to approximately $400.00 per student over the next three years. For the remainder of the life of the bond the per student fee will be dependent on enrollment.