The University of Utah's Independent Student Voice

The Daily Utah Chronicle

The University of Utah's Independent Student Voice

The Daily Utah Chronicle

The University of Utah's Independent Student Voice

The Daily Utah Chronicle

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Write for Us
Want your voice to be heard? Submit a letter to the editor, send us an op-ed pitch or check out our open positions for the chance to be published by the Daily Utah Chronicle.
@TheChrony
Print Issues

Union Introduces Several Construction Projects this Semester

With the south entrance remodel and other upcoming renovations, the Union seems to be following the unwritten rule that something must always be under construction on campus.

But Whit Hollis, director of the Union, said the work being done in and around the building is actually only slightly more extensive than in other years and is part of annual updates.

“We’re always trying to keep the Union fresh and exciting and try to keep meeting the needs of our students so you all can study and get your degree and be successful,” Hollis said.

Students pass by the ballroom in the Union building. Photo credit: Dane Goodwin
Students pass by the ballroom in the Union building. Photo credit: Dane Goodwin

The largest renovation is the work on the south entrance. Hollis said this began because the concrete platform was deteriorating. Additionally, the U is updating its electricity and water lines and two transformers (devices increasing or decreasing the voltage of alternative currents) near the Union, which should be completed later this semester.

Vincent Fu, a junior in biology and music and the associate director of the Union Programming Council, said while he’s had to make a few detours around construction zones, he thinks the workers have made a good effort to minimize their impact on students.

In addition to the south entrance renovation, the Union will replace the stairs connecting the ballroom to the Union plaza — that will be unusable for a month this semester.

The offices by the Crimson Commons will be turned into a worker’s compensation clinic for students and staff, and the defunct copy center, closed for financial reasons, will become the new UCard office. The latter’s office will become a convenience store operated by the bookstore, which Hollis said should be finished in January.

Fu said it will be nice to have a food option in the main lobby, though he doesn’t quite like the projected location.

“I feel like the current UCard office is hard enough to find already — so many people go to the Union Services Desk to ask about this office which is just around the corner — so relocating it downstairs will likely result in much confusion and frustration for students unfamiliar with the Union,” Fu said.

The upcoming renovations are in the bid process, meaning the costs and construction schedule are still undecided. Hollis projects the stairs will cost around $140,000, which will come from student fees. The UCard office will cost about $160,000, from the Union’s auxiliary budget, and the worker’s comp clinic a little over $200,000, paid for by the U’s Division of Human Resources.

Other recent updates include making the third-floor restroom by The Utah Chronicle’s office wheelchair accessible, which will cost $120,000 dollars from student fees.

Hollis said there are no official plans to rebuild the Union, though expansions and renovations are always under consideration.

Fu said while he thinks the Union has a lot of historical significance on campus and appreciates the remodels, he thinks rebuilding it as something along the lines of the Student Life Center would be a welcome change. Fu said the Union should look into “simply having more welcome student spaces to eat, play and study.”

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