Provost discusses Perelman plans

Officials fielded questions regarding space allocation for students organizations. As students poured into the new McClelland Marketplace for its grand opening celebration last night, many leaders of University organizations crammed into an adjoining lounge for a discussion with Provost Stanley Chodorow about how the construction of the Perelman Quadrangle will affect student life on campus. Chodorow hosted the town meeting in order to inform the University community about plans for the Perelman Quad project -- which will eventually link Logan, Houston and Williams halls to Irvine Auditorium. The project began this year, and is expected to be completed by the spring of 2000. During the next four years, the closure of Houston Hall and Irvine Auditorium are expected to be the most disruptive to student life. The provost presented a slide show of architectural plans for the buildings, giving a detailed description of the changes that will be made to each building. Additions of cafes, theaters and meeting halls are part of the plan designed to create a new student center. "It will have things the campus needs? including what it has now," Chodorow said. "It's going to be alive." After Chodorow's formal presentation, the audience expressed concern about space allocation during and after the Perelman construction. Among those concerned were students whose organizations are currently housed in Houston Hall. "We have no idea where we are going -- either temporarily or permanently," said Elizabeth O'Flanagan, a Quadramics board member. "And no one will tell us anything concrete." Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum fielded questions about a timetable for space assignments. "Our primary concern right now is on the six groups with offices in Irvine," McCoullum said. "They are moving out in May, and we need to find them space first." She added that the student organizations now in Houston Hall will be assigned space "early next fall." Former Performing Arts Council President Katherine Minarik said the University and PAC have made some headway in recent discussions about space. "We are pleased with the administration so far," Minarik said. "But they still have a lot of things to address -- like our rehearsal spaces that are in Houston Hall and Irvine." Although several performing arts groups currently use rehearsal space in the "Rotunda," the former Christian Science church at 40th and Walnut streets, many groups complained that the facility is not adequate. "The acoustics are awful," O'Flanagan said. "It's barely acceptable for theater rehearsals, but really not for dance or singing groups." Representatives from Student Health also expressed their concern about the affects of the Perelman Quad construction. "We were worried [administrators were] only focusing on the performing arts groups," said Holly Prescott, a Drug and Alcohol Resource Team member and College freshman. "But our offices are in Houston Hall too, and we came to get our voices heard." Chodorow and McCoullum were both supportive of student concerns, but said they were unable to give specific answers to many questions. "We cannot tell you locations now, but as we know, we will inform you," McCoullum said. Chodorow emphasized the extensive incorporation of student opinion into the construction process. "We are trying to serve the needs of the students and work together," he said. "It will be better, and there will be more spaces for meeting when it is all done."