A new age could be dawning on the University of St. Petersburg. Over the past 10 years, USFSP has fought economic pressure. The campus started off as a commuter college, with barely enough parking. The students wanted more. A parking garage was built. Students wanted to live on campus. A residence hall was built. Students want more degrees. A science and technology building was designed. Now, students are calling for more housing and a place to kick back with their friends. So, USFSP administration will be awaiting the approval of funds for the building of a new Multi-Purpose Student Center.
During the next two months or so, the financial proposal of $20 million for the MPSC building will be going through the Board of Trustees and Board of Governors to get approval before any ground can be broken. The ideal date is to have the building up and inhabitable by the Fall semester of 2012.
“We need to get bonds,” Regional Chancellor Margret Sullivan said. According to Sullivan, the new governmental legislation passed does not allow the use of student fees to be used for building purposes.
The new building will be in the lot where the sand volleyball courts stand now. It will consist of a student center and residence hall. If and when construction happens, the courts will be knocked down and possibly relocated.
“These are sacrifices everyone has to make,” Vice Chancellor Kent Kelso said. He does believe; however, the basketball courts will probably remain where they are.
The MPSC will be six stories with the residence hall portion being on part of the second and third floors and entirely on the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors. Kay-Lynne Taylor, Director of Student Services has been an integral part in the design of this area.
Taylor sits on five different committees that are involved in the planning and design of the residence hall.
“My 23 years of University Housing experience allows me to figure out what is missing, the pricing, and to make sure the spacing is operational for the building,” Taylor said.
The plan is to have the dorms be set up in traditional housing style. This means two roommates will share a room and bathroom. They hope to be able to fit about 196 beds in the building. Residence Hall One currently houses about 390 students. This does not count the 43 who are residing in the Hilton.
“We need a new building and more room for kids,” Jamal Wise, a junior, said.
With the possibility of new housing space, one hopes it will alleviate the overflow into optional housing such as hotels. While it should help with putting waitlist students in a bed, the idea is not necessarily to get rid of the list entirely.
“It is always good to have a waitlist because you know you have the demand,” Taylor said.
“It’s a great way to get away from being considered a commuter campus,” Nicole Cate, a sophomore, said.
Besides dorms, the MPSC will have a dining area and student services. According to Kelso, it will have a similar look to the Marshall Center at University of South Florida Tampa.
A meal plan has been discussed, but the details have not been finalized. A traditional meal plan consists of 19 meals with a declining balance.
Matthew Morrin, Director of Student Life has been involved in the planning to make sure the students have what they need in regards to students space in the MPSC. The plan is to have office space for clubs and organizations. This also includes space for leadership programs and meeting rooms. There are hopes, according to Morrin, that Health Services may go into this building as well as administration offices.
“I have been here for five years. When we started there were 14-17 clubs and organizations, now there are about 80,” Morrin said. “I think the growth is wonderful.”
The design might include a type of game area for students, but that has to be a demand from the students. Student Government has been used in this case. A committee has been attending building and planning meetings in order to make sure the estimated 6,000 members of the student body is heard and their needs are met.
If the financial plan goes through, this will just be the beginning of a new University of South Florida St. Petersburg.
“In 10 years, when one says St. Petersburg, they are going to think the MLK Parade and this University,” Wise said.
