Regents approve major renovation of OSU Student Union

Friday, January 18, 2008

(OKMULGEE, Okla., January 18, 2008 ) – The OSU/A&M Board of Regents moved forward on a major renovation of Oklahoma State University’s storied Student Union during its regular meeting at OSU-Okmulgee on Friday.

The Board approved a Student Union renovations fee of $4.35 per credit hour, which will be charged to all incoming undergraduate students starting in the fall 2008.  The renovation has drawn strong support from students and the fee was approved by the Student Government Association.

“The OSU Student Union has served the OSU community, Stillwater and the state of Oklahoma for over 50 years,” said OSU Interim System CEO and President Marlene Strathe. “In order for the Union to continue its high quality of service and programs it is necessary to make an investment in some much-needed facility improvements and infrastructure upgrades.”  

Strathe added, “This project will make the OSU Student Union better than ever and benefit students and the campus for many years to come.  I applaud our students for their vision and support of this important initiative.”

A final project cost has not been determined but $43 million has been identified for the renovation through the student fee, other revenue streams and reserves.  

The OSU Student Union, which opened in 1950, has gone through small updates over the last 30 years, but the last substantial renovation was in 1978.  This new comprehensive renovation could begin as early as 2010 and take up to 3-to-4 years.   

In the spring of 2006 a 14-member committee, which included student government and student organization leaders, worked with a team of consultants to evaluate the Union and come up with a plan to address the building’s infrastructure issues and other needs.  

“All the members of the committee worked hard for six months to come up with a plan that will truly bring the Student Union infrastructure, services and facilities into the 21st century,” said Mitch Kilcrease, Student Union Director.  

“Students believe this fee is important and necessary for the future of the Union because of the significance the building has to current and future students, the entire campus, the community, alumni and visitors,” said Michael Warren, President of the OSU Student Government Association.

In other action, Poe & Associates, Inc. of Tulsa was selected as the engineer for a $4.7 million upgrade of the OSU water treatment plant and distribution system.  The Board originally approved the project on Oct. 26, 2007.

The campus water treatment facility has been inactive the last five years and this upgrade will allow OSU to more effectively address its water needs.  In addition, because the distribution systems for OSU and the City of Stillwater are interconnected, each can provide backup to the other in the event of maintenance issues, emergencies, or other needs.