FRANK PORTER GRAHAM STUDENT UNION
renovat:ion & e x p an s i o n
The Union Expansion & Renovation plans result from
research that began in 1994. That year the students who
make up the Union Board of Directors began to look
toward the 21st century and evaluate how well the Union
meets students needs. After hearing comments and
suggestions from other students, it became clear that a
renovation and expansion was needed. Here are some of
thttp>rpposed improvements.
The diagram to your right outlines the present building and
a completely new addition. It is planned that this new wing
will allow 24-hour access to a computer lab and copy
center. It will also provide more meeting space and room
for student organizations. Food will be available bagels,
coffee, soup, sandwiches, snacks and beverages.
Renovations will also be made to the existing facility.
Construction will be designed to keep the building opera
tional throughout its renovation. Therefore, students will
never at any point be completely without a Union nor
denied its services.
It’s a really cold and rainy (or snowy) day. Where do you
go between classes? To get a bite to eat. To check your email.
To meet friends. To work on a group project. To catch up on
the soaps. To kick back and relax for a while. Well, judging
from the wall-to-wall bodies on such days, the Carolina Union
is the place.
Of course, the Union is pretty full pretty much of the time
for all the above reasons, even when the weather is fine. And
that’s the way it ought to be. The Carolina Union belongs to
the students and it is intended to serve their needs, whether
those needs are for meeting and office space, recreational
activities, technological amenities or just a place to crash for a
few minutes or hours.
Right now, though, the Union needs to grow, along with
WHO USES THE UNION?
• Over 880 student organizations make over
10,000 reservations of meeting space a year
• Over 10,000 people a day enter the Student
Union for study space, food, TV, lounges,
activities or recreation
WHAT CHANGES WILL BE MADE?
• New addition built & existing facility enhanced
• 24-hour Computer Lab & Copy Center
• More room for Student Organizations
• More room to relax & socialize
• Enhanced Handicap Accessibility
• Bagels, Sandwiches, Soups & Beverages
• More space (see table below)
Today Tomorrow
Meetinj Rooms 9,495 sq. ft. 13,251 sq. ft.
Lounges/Lobbles 15,288 sq. ft 25,535 sq. ft.
Student Organisation
Office Space 37 offices 90 offices
TOTAL S*>ACE INCREASE 35,278 SQ.FT.
the student body. Each year more students come to Chapel
Hill to receive an education. This population increase is felt in
all aspects of student life housing, dining, class registration
and the University does its best to keep up.
Ask yourself, “Is the Union meeting my needs?” If the
answer is “Not really,” then you must ask yourself what you
can do about it. And the answer is: Vote for the renovation
and expansion of the building on February 10.
Now the truth is, the renovation will take time, most likely,
longer than the current students will be at UNC. It will also
entail an increase in student fees. So why should you vote for
something that won’t benefit you directly? Because your vote
now will benefit your younger sisters or brothers, who follow
you to Carolina. It might even benefit your children isn’t