Trustees to see final Revlon plan

Interim Provost Marvin Lazerson announced his final proposal for the Revlon Center at the May 4 University Council meeting. This proposal will be brought to the University Board of Trustees at their meetings next month. After several attempts at cutting down the cost of the center, Lazerson announced a proposal which will cost $36 million to build. "It's going to be a little smaller, but will have most of the things people believed were necessary," he said. The newest addition to the previous proposals is the inclusion of mailboxes for every residential student. Lazerson said recent mail problems may be alleviated if all mail to be delivered on-campus comes to one place -- the Revlon Center. "It is a small bite at what seems to be an impossible problem," he added. The Center will contain an auditorium and a black box theater, as well as a box office, six music practice rooms and two large rehearsal rooms. "Performing arts were deemed to be a critical part of the Revlon Center," Lazerson said. Nine meeting rooms, a 24-hour study lounge, a periodical room, a music listening room and student offices for all undergraduate and graduate sections of student government will be included. The center will also include a food area whose format has yet to be specified. Lazerson said it will not be like the current food court at 3401 Walnut Street. Finally, a full service bookstore will be part of the Revlon complex and will be funded by The Book Store's revenue. Between now and the Trustees' meeting, Lazerson said he will request proposed drawings from the architects involved. Statistics Professor and past Faculty Senate Chairperson David Hildebrand said the inclusion of student mailboxes is a "superb" idea. But English Professor Robert Reagan said problems could arise for students who live far away from the Revlon Center. "Would students in Hill House want to go out on a really rainy day just to get their mail?" he said. Lazerson said the University currently has $11 million in hard secure pledges. "We think we can conservatively raise $20 million more -- maybe $25 [million]," he said. "But we do not have a designated source for operating expenses and that's extremely hard to get." Lazerson said a reallocation of University funds may be necessary. "The Campus Center is of sufficiently high importance over the next few years," he added.