Push to improve Assembly Hall
Updated: February 4, 2013
CHAMPAIGN -- Students are trying to find ways to make the UI Assembly Hall even better than it is. A committee of students and staff put together a plan for a $160-million renovation. But, it needs support from people on campus.
Most of it would be inside the hall. But, the project is about making the whole thing better; inside-out. The committee wants to get some new Krush seating on the floor. Plans also include getting better restroom facilities and making it more handicap-accessible for those with disabilities.
Students would need to pay an additional $25 in student fees starting in 2014 to help cover costs. But, organizers say it's worth it. The fee is not a one-time thing. Students would continue to pay it each time they paid student fees. Organizers say it could cover 17% of the cost of renovations.
They say it's the same thing the university did when it was first building the hall. In order for plans to move forward, students need to vote on it, but first, it has to get on the March ballot.
Students on the committee say they're collecting signatures for that already. If they don't get the vote, it will delay the start of the project which is scheduled to begin in 2014.
Most of it would be inside the hall. But, the project is about making the whole thing better; inside-out. The committee wants to get some new Krush seating on the floor. Plans also include getting better restroom facilities and making it more handicap-accessible for those with disabilities.
Students would need to pay an additional $25 in student fees starting in 2014 to help cover costs. But, organizers say it's worth it. The fee is not a one-time thing. Students would continue to pay it each time they paid student fees. Organizers say it could cover 17% of the cost of renovations.
They say it's the same thing the university did when it was first building the hall. In order for plans to move forward, students need to vote on it, but first, it has to get on the March ballot.
Students on the committee say they're collecting signatures for that already. If they don't get the vote, it will delay the start of the project which is scheduled to begin in 2014.
