Project F.A.Q.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions not listed below, please email your question HERE!

Changes in Dreyfus University Center Reservable Spaces.

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When will you begin accepting reservation requests for next year?

The Centers Reservations Office will begin accepting reservation requests on March 26, 2007 for the spring semester 2008. Requests will be prioritized and reservation confirmations will be emailed to the requestor by mid-May. In order for us to focus our efforts on getting all of the service and operational areas open, we will not be accepting reservation requests for the fall of 2007.

I've heard a rumor that the building is closed during renovations? Is this true and why?

This rumor is a fact. The Dreyfus University Center (DUC) is closed during the entire renovation. During the summer 2005 the architects brought their renovation schedule to campus and the plan called for a phased project. This meant that as one part of the building was being renovated the services, programs and offices were shuffled around to the open parts of the building not under construction. What they projected was that at any one time, only 20% of the building would be open and not under construction. The areas that would be open would then need to accommodate the building operations and would not be open to meetings, conferences, or banquets. With this information, the Centers approached the campus governance groups, including the Chancellor's Cabinet, about the idea of closing the DUC entirely during the renovation rather than phasing the project. By closing the DUC during the renovation, the architects project that we could save an estimated $1.5 million in management and construction costs and shorten the time of the renovation from affecting two academic years to one academic year and two summers.

Why are we doing this renovation?

There are three main reasons why we are doing this renovation:

1. The oldest part of the Dreyfus University Center (DUC) will be 50 years old in 2009, so many of the building systems (heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical) are in need of updating in order to keep the building comfortable, energy efficient, and up to current building codes.
2. Many of our sister UW System campuses have been renovating their dated union buildings over the last few years. In order for UWSP to present a welcoming face to new students, we need to update the one building that students utilize as their "Campus Living Room."
3. Students are requesting the changes that are being incorporated into the new DUC designs (theatre, expanded Laird Room, improved dining and recreational options).

How is this funded?

$22.7 million of the project will be bonded through the state and the additional balance will be covered by reserve accounts and/or an internal campus loan. The Dreyfus University Center is a student segregated fee funded building. To pay for the renovation to the building students' segregated fees were raised by $50 in FY'06, and in FY '07, '08, and '09 by $63 for a total ramp up cost of $239/per student.

What are we doing for sustainability within the new building and will we get LEED certification?

The building was designed to incorporate the strategies and spirit of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) but will not be a certified LEED building. However, the design and materials used in the project will reflect LEED standards.

The following design features have been incorporated into the project:

• Sustainable sites (including reduced site disturbance, landscape and exterior design to reduce heat islands, light pollution reduction),
• Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere (including minimum energy performance and CFC reduction in cooling equipment),
• Materials and Resources (including a central recycling location for the building, building reuse rather than total demolition),
• Local and Regional Materials Specified (certified wood products, and mandated recycled contents in certain products and a comprehensive construction waste management program),
• Indoor Environmental Quality (including use of low emitting adhesives, paints and coating and composite woods),
• Emphasis on daylighting and outside views into the building, and
• Building Systems (including insulated building systems and design features like building overhangs on the west-facing glass).

Additional and more specific information on sustainable features can be found on the Centers website: www.uwsp.edu/centers/construction

Where will all the fun activities be taking place this year without a University Center?

Even though the Dreyfus University Center (DUC) will be out of commission, the events will not! For the first 6 weeks of the fall semester, many of the typical DUC events will be held "Under The Big Top" in a tent in front of DeBot Dining Center. Look for events like the Involvement Fair, Fall Job Fair, bands, hypnotist Bruce McDonald and more in this venue. Additionally, the Encore will move to the Communication Arts Center (CAC) in the old TV studio and will be known at the "Faux-Core". Check out comedians, bands, etc. in this new location. We will also be branching out to other locations such as DeBot Dining Center for events like the LEAD Dinner along with newly created events.

What new cool things will be gained with this renovation?

Some of the new items in the renovation include: a 232 seat theatre, expanded Laird Room, new Encore on the concourse level, 2nd story added to the Concourse, renovated kitchen and dining facilities, updated University Store and Text Rental, expanded computer lab, more retail and lounge space in the building, and new heating, ventilating, air conditioning and sprinkler systems to bring the building up to current state building codes.

Were students involved in the planning of the project?

Yes, from the very beginning. Students helped to create the vision for the renovated building. The University Centers Advisory and Policy Board (UCAPB) voted to fund the renovation and they, along with other student representatives, have been serving on the renovation committee over the past years as we have gotten down to the detail decisions for the building, like placement of rooms, and materials to be used.

How can UWSP afford a $23.7 million renovation to the Dreyfus University Center (DUC) when the campus has to cut positions and programs because of state budget issues?

There are two forms of money on a UW System campus - the money students pay for tuition, called general purpose revenue (GPR), and the money they pay in fees that support the student life areas outside the classroom - like the University Centers. This type of funding is called program revenue (PR). Taxpayer dollars support the academic function of campus (GPR) but are not used for the PR areas. The state budget has affected many departments and programs that are funded by GPR funds since these are areas that have direct impact on the academic function of campus. The DUC renovation project is supported completely by student fees and utilizes no GPR or taxpayer funds.

Where will the construction walkways be placed and what parking obstructions will we encounter during renovation?

The construction zone for the project is clearly marked by 6 foot high metal fence that runs along the west side of the building along the Reserve Street curb (a walk way has been created on Reserve Street), along the sidewalk that runs east and west between the Dreyfus University Center (DUC) and the Communication Arts Center and Student Services Center, along the sidewalk on Fremont Street and along the north end of parking lot Z (on the north side of the building). The recommended route to get from the LRC to the areas west and south of the DUC is to travel east on High Street and south on Fremont Street. A construction zone map can be found on the Centers website. Parking Lot Z will be closed for the duration of the project as will the south half of parking lot C. The east end of lot R will also be closed during the project. These areas will also be used by the contractors for staging and demolition areas. After the project is completed, these areas will all revert back to parking lots.

Where will we eat lunch when the building is closed?

The three venues that will be open during the renovation are the College of Professional Studies (CPS) Cafeteria, the Learning Resources Center (LRC) "Food for Thought" Café, and the DeBot Residential Dining Center. Off-campus student, faculty and staff meal plans are available for people who wish to eat regularly in the newly renovated DeBot Center. The upstairs dining program and the Lower DeBot Convenience Store & Grill allows people to pay cash for meals. Additionally, enhanced vending has been added to many campus buildings.

Where will I be able to hold my meeting, program, banquet, while the Dreyfus University Center (DUC) is closed?

One of the reasons all governance groups were consulted on this decision to close the DUC was that we realized that the campus community would still want to hold their meetings, events and banquets on campus. In order for this to happen the entire campus community needs to help accommodate these events wherever possible. We are encouraging event planners to contact the Centers Reservation Office regarding spaces in the Centers or on campus that might be available for their meetings and events. An electronic Reservation Request form has been made available for reservations and as we get confirmation on open locations on campus, we'll alert the planner to the assignment that has been made. Other non-Centers locations can be reserved through the Conference and Reservations Office located in Delzell Hall.

When will the Dreyfus University Center (DUC) be open?

At this time, we are planning a "soft opening" of the Dreyfus University Center on Monday, December 10, 2007 (provided the building can be occupied). PointCard Office, Information and Ticket Center, University Store and Text Rental will be operational. Services (such as food services and bank) will not be operational until January 2008.

Will there be a Grand Re-Opening Celebration when the building is complete?

During the first week of the spring 2008 semester and for the five weeks following, a Grand Re-Opening Celebration for the Dreyfus University Center (DUC) will take place. A schedule of the events will be made available in the fall 2007 semester.