Barton Community College will spend about $200,000 to update its Student Union, college trustees learned Thursday at their monthly study session.
Dean of Administration Mark Dean said the changes are mostly cosmetic, although they do address from accessibility issues. However, no tax dollars will be used. The college’s Foundation has provided the first $100,000, and the rest of the money will come from Student Union funds, which are derived from Bookstore profits and student fees.
Built in 1972, the Student Union has never undergone any type of major renovation, Dean said. "It looks like it was built in 1972."
"It’s been well maintained," trustee Mike Johnson said. "It’s still structurally sound; it just needed to be updated."
The plan is to repaint the entire building, using a color scheme similar to what was used for the Learning Resource Center (Library) renovation; replace carpet, floor tile and ceiling tile on the upper level; and install additional televisions. The Crows Nest, an area for studying or socializing, will get new lighting and furniture, and the fireplace, which Dean said is never used, will be removed. Window shading will be added to the upper level windows, and all of the furniture in the eating area will be replaced.
Renovations that address Americans with Disability Act (ADA) issues include renovating all four bathrooms, replacing water fountains and replacing the north doors/vestibule.
The face-fit should be completed before the fall 2012 semester.
Local vs. state bid
No board action is needed on the Student Union project, but the board will need to vote later this month on bids for replacement vehicles at the college. The plan is to buy five Ford Fusions and/or Chevy Impalas and a three-quarter ton truck for snow removal.
Bids were requested from all local dealers, and the from Ed Bozarth Chevrolet dealership in Topeka, which secured the bid on the state bid list for mid-size cars this year. President Carl Heilman said he’ll recommend buying some Fords from the lowest local bidder, even though the state bid is about 6 percent lower. Generally, the college allows local bidders a 5 percent leeway. "Six percent is pretty close," Heilman said, adding buying locally is an act of goodwill.
The December business meeting will be changed from Thursday, Dec. 15, to Tuesday, Dec. 13.
