A Thursday morning meeting was held to further answer questions concerning the fate of three politically significant University facilities. University administrators, architects and a handful of students met Thursday to discuss the future of the Women's Center, the African-American Cultural Center and the Civil War Center.
The University opened dialogue in June to discuss the 750-spot parking garage that would potentially force the three buildings to relocate.
Emmett David, Facility Development director, offered two compromises at the meeting that would allow the facilities to remain at their current locations.
He proposed making the parking garage smaller and building around the three facilities or incorporating the buildings into the parking garage structure.
According to plans distributed by David, if the centers were incorporated into the garage the Women's Center would gain 1,238 square feet and the AACC would more than double in size -- gaining 2,669 square feet.
Concerns that the centers would lose their autonomy were posed by members of a student dialogue team.
But Katrice Albert, vice provost of equity and diversity, said "each center will have their own library and their own conference room."
Others voiced concerns the centers might lose their own bathrooms and be forced to rely on the ones in a nearby Barnes and Noble, which also has been slated for construction.
But David deferred the question, adding that such small details should be discussed at a later date.
"Don't get fixed on hard lines," David said. "I think that's an easy problem. I think it's a small decision."
He also said the centers would still be allowed to put up temporary displays in their front yards and more plants and grass would be added to those lawns.
"We want to green it up," David said.
Albert said the centers could temporarily be moved to Hatcher Hall until construction of the new parking garage was completed.
Jessica Ketchum Weber, president of the women and gender studies student group, approved the integration of the Women's Center into the garage.
Westley Bayas, AACC advocate, also approved, although he wants to continue gathering input from other students.
Another meeting will be held once school begins to allow more students to voice their opinion.
----- Contact Travis Andrews at news@lsureveille.com
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