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With the Memorial Student Union - just steps from UA President Manuel Pacheco's office - in disrepair, you have to wonder why the university is pouring $20 million into the Integrated Instructional Facility before making improvements to the Union.
The Wildcat recently interviewed UA President Manuel Pacheco about several campus issues ("Close relationship between students and admin. not possible, Pacheco says," Sept. 18). In the interview, he said the Memorial Student Union should be repaired, but he also said that he "feel(s) very strongly" about building the Integrated Instructional Facility. The IIF Building is designed to serve as a center for first-year students. The project, which would be built underground beneath the Mall, is supposed to be finished by 1999.
The Arizona Board of Regents gave the project conceptual approval in December 1994. But because the Arizona State Legislature denied the university funding, it will likely be financed by selling bonds.
In August the regents approved spending $36 million for the IIF and the Agriculture Research Complex in the 1997 fiscal year and $25 million for the Union in fiscal 1998. But funding the projects in the reverse order is more appropriate.
Building the IIF will give freshman a new home, but remodeling the Union will affect a much larger group.
Pacheco says the IIF will "provide a first-rate, first-year experience for students." It's a worthwhile goal, but the university should consider that the Union is a place for the entire campus community, not just 4,500 first-year students.
The administration could better serve the campus community by focusing its efforts on more pressing needs, instead of directing its attention toward pet projects.
A building in disrepair, especially one that serves as a gathering place for students, faculty and visitors, should take precedence over one that has yet to be built.
It's time to ask how and why Union repairs ended up lower on the administration's, and the regent's, list of priorities than IIF.
The administration has spent years talking about remodeling the Union, but we've seen mostly superficial changes, like change the name and remodeling the President's Lounge and the Sidewalk Deli this year.
Improvements, yes. A solution, no.
The Union needs major remodeling, at the least, before it becomes the "attractive," "functional" and "safe" campus center Pacheco, in the interview, said he wanted.
If he wants it, he is in a position to push for it.
So why not spend the money on the Union first, IIF later?
The money is there, but the administration's priorities are out of synch with the needs of the campus community. Use the funds for the Union now. The IIF Building can wait.
Opinions Board
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