The Bollinger Memorial Student Union will undergo several cosmetic changes this summer, according to Gregory Evans, director of the Student Union, and Brenda Haskins, director of auxiliary services. Many ideas have been discussed to further improve the Student Union and the cafeteria to expand on and improve student services.Haskins said one of the things being done within auxiliary services and student affairs is that both departments are about to embark on the creation of a master plan. This would prioritize the University’s needs, such as planning the areas that need updating to ensure that plans are executed in a timely manner.

“I would think that (those who come together to create the master plan) would include people from all over campus,” Haskins said. “All of the department heads, people who have visions for their departments (can participate so) they will be given a possibility that we bring in a company that has that expertise and helps us develop a master plan.”

According to Evans, some changes to the Student Union are definite with a general makeover set to occur during the summer to be ready for the coming fall semester. The immediate cosmetic changes include the addition of computer stations, a PlayStation 2 lounge, and a television lounge in addition to the one in Godfather’s Pizza in the current gazebo area outside of the foot court. Evans said that the University is not considering taking away any of the meeting rooms for the construction and is only interested in changing the atmosphere of the student union by adding new services.

“There should be no or very little loss of seating (after construction),” Evans said. “The PlayStation 2 lounge will definitely be one of the things that we look at, and that’s pretty much going to be a reality; we’re talking about five or six stations. A bowling alley is something we might look at also, if we can get an addition added on to the building.”

Evans said the idea of a bowling alley is one of the top ideas that has come out of the Student Union board meetings, an idea whose reality would require expansion of the Student Union itself. According to Evans, the Student Union board members sit at a table and brainstorm about changes they would like to see. One thing that was discussed in the last board meeting, which was also open to the student body as well, was the need for more space and more student services. Four students not affiliated with the Student Union board expressed their concerns, and the board members have also discussed with students at random the improvements that need to be done to the Student Union.

In addition to the computer stations and lounges, Evans said the information center would also be expanded to include an extended counter, where several more student services may be offered such as faxing and copying services.

“The bookstore will be renovated as well, with assistance from Barnes and Noble,” Evans said. “The bookstore is going to move into a new age as well.”

Evans said there are currently no times or dates set on constructions other than the “cosmetic changes” to the union that are to be ready for the fall.

Haskins said, “The master plan will probably include a little to do with the ballroom. The carpet in the plantation suite is really a disaster; it’s really aged, and it’s really worn. We need some things done to our wall structure that’s just not holding up.”

Evans said, “The things that we (the University) are really, really looking at are making the Student Union a more comfortable place for students and adding some services that other student unions that I’ve worked in and have visited have offered.”

He also said he and the University are now looking over the 2004-2005 Student Union budget in preparation for the immediate renovations.

“So many times if you work with your budget, you’re so focused on your yearly budget and trying to make ends meet that it’s really hard to go out and focus on five years, but you really have to take time to do that,” Haskins said. “That is one of the things that we’re recognizing would make us a stronger institution, if we had a master plan that would guide us in making decisions.”

Haskins said one of the things she and auxiliary services is thinking about is making the parking lot behind the Student Union a paid parking lot because there are problems with guest parking. The money, she said, would go toward the upkeep of the lot and other parking facilities at Nicholls.

“Almost every day students park (in the guest parking behind the Student Union) and go to class, and that defeats the purpose of having a guest parking lot,” Haskins said. “One way to enhance the (prospect of guests coming) is that they pay to park in that parking lot.”

When talking about taking away 200 parking spaces, Haskins said the question arises as to where students will park. She said that would become part of the master plan.

“Maybe we’ll decide to pave the parking lot between Babington (Hall) and married student housing which would make some more spaces and more efficient use of the space there,” Haskins said.

According to Evans, another upgrade outside of the Student Union that will definitely take place is being spearheaded by Haskins, is the renovation of the outdated cafeteria.

Haskins said the University has developed a 501-V3 corporation that is going to renovate the food services areas, specifically the cafeteria.

“With that corporation, we’re hoping to go to the board in just a few months to ask for permission to hire an architect who will guide the project,” Haskins said.

According to Haskins, the project includes renovation of the cafeteria, which will give way to an entirely new front section of the cafeteria and a new kitchen. Because of the age of the building, gas lines and electrical lines need to be modernized.

Haskins said she is considering spreading foodservices outside of the Student Union and out over campus such as in the back of or within Betsy Cheramie-Ayo Hall and in the quadrangle.

“One of the things I’ve noticed about the Student Union is that I can keep adding money, but the students who come to the Student Union are the same students who come to the Student Union,” Haskins said. “Our students are very convenience-oriented, and it would be nice to place food services where there are traffic patterns that flow across campus.”

Haskins said: “I think that the master plan has me excited because it makes us think about where we really want to go with our Student Union. We don’t have enough space here (in the Student Union). We must think about what we’re going to do to provide programs that we want to do in the Student Union, so I think that talking about putting it on paper and making it a reality will be good for the University and good for students.”

Evans said: “We want out students to feel like they’re a community, a community that everyone has a voice in, has a place in and feels like they’re part of the overall NSU family.