February  19, 2008

Augustana to construct new Student Center

Citing a need for informal gathering space and additional venues for student meetings and events, Augustana College has announced plans to build a new student center at the eastern edge of the college's lower campus quad, just north of the hillside below Andreen Hall.

Augustana's Board of Trustees formally commited to the project at its January meeting, where it also resolved to design and build the facility with environmental sustainability in mind. According to the Board's resolution, the student center will meet the U.S. Green Building Council's Silver standard for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

The new student center will be built on the eastern edge of the lower campus quad, just north of the hillside below Andreen Hall.

Benchmarking research has shown Augustana lacks approximately 70,000 square feet of leisure and recreation space in comparison to peer institutions of a similar size. The student center, currently in the design phase, will provide approximately 35,000 square feet to address this shortfall. Construction is likely to begin in early 2009, with a projected opening date of fall 2010.

"By making plans for a new student center, we commit to improving the student experience by providing adequate space for informal gatherings, student meetings and events," said Steve Bahls, president of the college. "I envision a facility that helps student leaders and organizations flourish as it provides new venues for programs that build and shape the campus community," Bahls added.

Architects from the Boston offices of Sasaki Associates will visit campus Wednesday, February 20 to continue the process of establishing priorities for the new building. Information sessions are scheduled for 10 a.m. in the Olin Auditorium and at 4 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. in room 102 of the Augustana Science Building.

Augustana's College Center building will be renovated during the same time period, a process that will include converting some of the College Center's meeting rooms into classrooms, accommodating enrollment growth and forestalling the need for a new academic building. The College Center cafeteria will remain Augustana's primary dining facility in the north end of campus.

While several possible locations for the new student center received serious consideration, Bahls notes the proximity of the chosen site to campus residence halls and the Tredway Library among the factors driving its selection.

"The area near the slough provides greater opportunities to use passive solar energy than other locations the Board considered," said Bahls. "It's a factor that will help us make the student center Augustana's first building to achieve LEED certification," he added, "and I'm proud of the Board for taking that step."

Kirby Winn
Director of Public Relations
Office: (309) 794-7473 Mobile: (309) 912-1532 Fax: (309) 794-3461
publicrelations@augustana.edu