Months of planning, budgeting and buying culminate Wednesday in an official open house for ASUI’s newly-renovated office space.
“So far the space is a much more open and collaborative environment and we’re really excited to have the open house so students can see where all this money went and that they can utilize that space,” said Samantha Perez, ASUI president.
The open house will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon by Perez and ASUI Vice President Juan Corona.
The renovation process officially began in October when discussion about the renovation was put into legislation and passed by the ASUI Senate. The bills provided funding for the project and outlined the goals of the renovation.
ASUI Communication Board Chair Hannah Blankenship said the goal was to renovate the space into an area that could be utilized by all students. She said she hopes the open house will allow students to see where the money for the project went and get acquainted with the space.
“I think it’s really important that (students) understand our student government so they can share their opinion and give us feedback because we are their governing body essentially,” Perez said.
The renovation faced some opposition from students in December when concerns arose about the cost of the renovation. ASUI allocated $50,000 for construction costs and $50,000 to update the furniture and provide lockers for student organizations to store materials.
Funding was taken from the ASUI general reserve which saw an increase in funds from vacant positions in ASUI.
Blankenship said the renovation costs did not exceed the amount of the allocated funding.
“There were some minor changes as I think with any construction project, but we’re hopeful that the changes we did have to make will be done soon,” Blankenship said.
She said the student organization lockers have not been added to the space yet, but will be custom built later in the semester or during the summer.
“I think students have been hearing about it all year – from the money that’s been spent on it to the plan for it – and I think it would be really great for students to come in and see the manifestation of all of these plans,” Blankenship said. “It just looks really great and we’re really proud of the whole process.”
Perez said it is space for students. “We did it in order to create another study space for students,” Perez said. “We did it for student organizations to come and host a meeting in our office, and I think it’s really important that they know that space is for them.”