Jonathan Ramos/Staff Writer

The architectural designs for the renovation of the Wolfe University Center have been finalized. The project’s commencement is pending the approval the activity and services fee money allocations for the 2012-13 fiscal year by the Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Rosa Jones.

Following focus group discussions with student leaders at Biscayne Bay Campus and an evaluation of the facility by architecture firm MC & Harry Associates Inc., Student Government Council at the Biscayne Bay Campus Speaker of the Senate Pablo Haspel divulged the three-phase plan to renovate the facility.

It will include replacing the floor with blue tiles and adding glass balconies on the second and third floors. SGC-BBC and WUC senior director Greg Olson collaborated on creating the outlook.

“I’m extremely excited for what will possibly turn out to be the vision,” Haspel said.

“The vision” also includes a new student lounge where the current computer lab is located in WUC 200, similar to the game room that was opened in Fall 2011 in WUC 222. The computer lab would be relocated.

According to Haspel, the students desired more lounge space on campus.

In addition, a structure will be added to the Panther Square similar to the “Pit” in the Graham Center at Modesto Maidique Campus. Haspel said the upgrades will help create more of a “panther spirit.”

However, plans didn’t always exist to renovate the entire facility.

During 2011 budget allocations, money was allocated to replace the tiles in the building. But Haspel said that plan was shortsighted.

“We came to the conclusion that it was kind of illogical to replace the tiles without thinking of the building as a whole,” he said. “If you would have started to replace tiles then you have to start changing other elements of the building.”

The funds for Phase one were allocated during the Spring of 2011, when $259,000 were supposed to be used to replace the tiles and upgrade the Mary Anne Wolfe Theatre before renovation plans. The funding for Phase two of the project is awaiting Dr. Jones’ approval of the 2012-2013 A&S budget for an additional $250,000.

Haspel said the funding for Phase three is expected  next year.

The plan will be completely funded by activity and services fees, given the building’s standing as a student-funded facility.

Former SGC-BBC president Sholom Neistein feels that it is a good use of A&S fees and the change is needed.

“When I was president, that was one of my main priorities, to change that tile up there, because there was plenty of people that were complaining, especially women, who had heels tripping over because there is an uneven structure on the tiles,” Neistein said. “It was also hard for the custodial workers. I think it is a very good use of it. One, for aesthetic reasons, and two, it also has to do with the functionality of the whole building.”

Lordana Guillaume, a sophomore health services administration major, feels that the campus experience will improve with renovations.

“I feel like the renovations would be positive for BBC,” Guillaume said. “Maybe with the addition of the renovations people will feel more motivated to participate more when they have events at the [Panther Square].”

Guillaume added that Panther Square could use the added appeal.

“It’s a square. It’s not much,” she said. “It’s a TV in a square with a couch. It’s awkwardly positioned. If I want to sit and relax I usually don’t pick there.”

Ned Chandler, a sophomore art major, isn’t sure a new structure in Panther Square is the answer to the lack of student life.

“I do feel that we are missing something that the other campus has, but I don’t think that building up a ‘pit’ would bring it to this campus,” Chandler said.

According to Haspel the process would take two to three years. There could also be delays in the project if a roadblock occurs, which Haspel says they are anticipating.

Olson chose not to comment until the deliberations were approved.