Originally published Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Comments (27)
E-mail article
Print view
Share
UW students vote to fund HUB overhaul
University of Washington students agreed Friday to spend $128 million on a complete overhaul of their main campus gathering spot, the Husky Union Building.
Seattle Times higher education reporter
University of Washington students agreed Friday to spend $128 million on a complete overhaul of their main campus gathering spot, the Husky Union Building.
The vote by a seven-member student committee represented the culmination of four years of discussion and planning. Also included was an additional $26 million to renovate a health clinic and a cultural center. UW regents, who backed the initial stages of the project, are expected to sign off on the renovations at a July meeting.
Students will pay most of the costs themselves. In an advisory measure, the student committee Friday voted in favor of imposing an annual fee of $274 per student.
That means most students would pay an extra $1,100 or so over the course of a four-year degree. If approved by regents, the fee would be implemented in stages in 2011 and 2012 and would remain in effect for 30 years, to pay off a bond issue. The student money would be supplemented by $20 million the UW plans to kick in.
Opened in the 1940s, the student gathering spot known affectionately by its acronym, the HUB, has been showing its age.
"The HUB has serious flow problems," said Matt York, a student who chairs the Services & Activities Fee Committee. "It's a very poor use of space and a poorly designed building. You can't find your way around. Even students don't know there's a second and third floor — they've never seen them."
York said consideration was given to demolishing the HUB, but it was determined that it would be cheaper to strip it to its bones.
The new-look HUB would feature an open plan with increased natural lighting, central meeting areas and an auditorium for concerts, comedy shows and films. It would increase the visibility and accessibility of the 700 student organizations that use the building.
Lincoln Johnson, the director of the HUB, said he hopes to begin moving out in fall 2010. Construction is expected to take 27 months, he said, and the new-look HUB should reopen in January 2013.
Exactly where all those students will gather during the renovation hasn't been finalized, Johnson said.
Anttimo Bennett, the student-body president, said he's excited about the project, even though he will be long gone from the UW by the time it's finished.
"This is a dream that students have had for years," he said. "For it to go through means the dream is finally realized."
Despite the additional cost to students at a time when tuition is skyrocketing, not one person objected to the plan at Friday's meeting. York said there'd been overwhelming support for the plan each step of the way. He said he hopes that by the time the fee takes effect, the economy will be strong again.
Nick Perry: 206-515-5639 or nperry@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
National Survivors of Suicide Day helps those who have lost loved ones
UW provost tapped for Nike's board
University of Calif. approves big fee hikes
$335 million in education grants
State schools chief wants to delay dates for passing key tests

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Craigslist adoption ad: A plea by young mother-to-be? A scam?
- Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred
- Italian prosecutors request life sentence for UW student
- Tugboat sinks on Seattle's waterfront
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Man shot in chest on E. Union Street in Capitol Hill
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
- Mariners Blog | A Mariners-Tigers swap makes a whole lot of sense for both teams
- Senate vote clears hurdle
234 - Tight Senate vote launches health care over hurdle
119 - Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
117 - Palin excitement builds in Tri-Cities
115 - Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
112 - Prosecutor requests life in prison for Amanda Knox
87 - Cutting through breast-cancer confusion
86 - Game thread
70 - New York terror trials will restore faith in rule of law
52 - Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
46
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Nonprofits get creative using Twitter and Facebook to make donation easier
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
- Great places to cross-country ski for free (or almost) in the Methow
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Recipes: Sesame Pork Roast, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce and more
- Banff: powder, peaks & purity
- 175 foster kids in Washington get 'forever families'









