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UW-Superior breaks ground for new student
center “Our ceremony today is a milestone marking years of work by many people who labored to make this project a reality,” Erlenbach said. “It also marks the beginning of several years of construction on this building and others that will significantly change the appearance of our campus and enable us to do an even better job of providing a challenging liberal arts education to our students. We look forward to the day this student center opens and becomes another asset for our campus and our community." “The new student center will serve as a beacon of student life on campus, providing future students with an exceptional facility in which to enhance their collegiate experience,” said Student Body President Stefan Fletcher. “The importance of this project in fomenting a vibrant atmosphere for UW-Superior students simply cannot be understated. For example, when students want to socialize, eat, or meet they will have options and spaces available to fulfill their needs, be they nutritional or technological.” “Taken in conjunction with the construction of Swenson Hall and the renovation of the Jim Dan Hill Library, the university will be able to provide students with outstanding environments to immerse them in the entirety of our liberal arts mission. This groundbreaking ceremony represents the beginning of a momentous period in the history of this institution,” he added. UW-Superior’s new student center will feature an exciting, modern design that makes it more appealing and useful to current students and aids in recruiting new students. It also will feature greater energy efficiency, more efficient use of space and be easier to navigate. Its environmentally friendly “green roof” will be covered with plants that absorb heat and rainwater, with excess rainwater directed into a special garden to avoid contributing to storm water runoff. The building will house student dining services, the campus bookstore, offices for student organizations and university staff, an art gallery, meeting areas and lounges. Funding for the new student center comes from student fees along with $4 million from the University of Wisconsin-Superior Foundation Inc. raised through its ongoing Campaign Superior: Higher Expectations. The new student center is scheduled to be largely completed by August 2009 with building operations set to start by the beginning of UW-Superior’s Fall 2009 semester. The existing Rothwell Student Center will remain in operation until the new student center is completed. Then it will be demolished and its site redeveloped as a parking area. The demolition is included in the cost of the project. Workshop Architects from Milwaukee, Wis., designed the new student center working closely with UW-Superior students and staff. Contractor for the project is Howard Immel Inc. of Green Bay, Wis. Groundbreaking for the new student center represents the start of the first of three major campus projects. Later this spring, UW-Superior will begin a $7.7 million renovation of Jim Dan Hill Library. In early 2009 work is expected to begin on construction of Swenson Hall, a 144,000-square-foot academic building. UW-Superior is Wisconsin's Leading Public Liberal Arts College, preparing students for lifelong learning and offering solid career preparation. A member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, UW-Superior offers more than 26 undergraduate academic programs as well as graduate, continuing education and distance learning programs.
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