Coming soon...

UIS officials unveil new plans and designe for new recreational center

By Heather Shaffer - Editor-in-chief

UIS students and staff should expect to see construction near Kiwanis Stadium beginning in early spring. UIS officials unveiled plans for the new recreational facility, located west of Kiwanis Stadium on the south edge of campus, with groundbreaking expected next semester.

The facility, designed to provide recreation and fitness opportunities for UIS students, will be 57,513 net-square-feet, including a gymnasium capable of holding 4,000 seats. Engineering firm Woolpert, Inc. of Fairview Heights and architect Moody-Nolan, Inc. of Columbus , Ohio , have created an open, transparent design. The outside brick and sloping roofs will match that of Lincoln Residence Hall.

This artist's rendition shows the main floor of the new recreational facility that is scheduled to be compled in Fall 2007.

According to Dave Barrows, director of physical planning and operations at UIS, the facility will include a controlled entrance area, a fitness area, group exercise rooms, varsity and visitor locker rooms, restrooms and a gymnasium/performance arena on the lower level. In addition, a fitness track, athletic offices and more fitness areas will occupy the upper level.

The highlight of the facility, a large performance area, will hold three volleyball courts or two full-sized basketball courts. With all of the seats pulled out, the gymnasium can transform into a 3,000-seat performance arena. The gymnasium will be used for athletic events and practices as well as campus recreational activities.

Along with the facility, a 300-space parking lot is slated for construction to accommodate parking for the recreational facility. The facility will be located where the eastern soccer practice field is now and the parking lot will be constructed where the western practice field stands, according to Barrows.

Barrows said that the facility will have two entrances, one facing the quadrangle, accessible to students and staff coming from the southeast end of campus, and the other will be near the performance arena on the southwest side and will be accessible to patrons on game nights.

Plans for the new facility allow for future additions. According to Barrows, the architectural plans allocated space for a future pool, recreational gym and fieldhouse, should funding become available for those additions in the future.

According to Barrows, construction of the facility is expected to be complete before the start of classes in Fall 2007. The projected cost for construction is $14.1 million.

The current recreational facility, located in the Student Life Building at the east end of the UIS campus, will still be used for team practices and other events, according to Barrows.

A view of the new recreational center from the entrance facing the campus quadrangled and University Hall

This facility, housed in one of the campus' original metal buildings constructed in 1969, has only a single-court gymnasium that contains 8,500 square feet. The new facility will increase the space for recreation, fitness and other athletic activities by more than 47,000 net square feet.

“Our recreational and athletic facilities have become very inadequate as the number of students participating in recreation and sports activities increases and student life continues to develop,” said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Christopher Miller. “Student development is a priority for this campus, and an emphasis on health and wellness is crucial in that development.”

A student referendum was held at UIS in April 2003 to determine the level of support for fee for the recreational facility. According to the Office of Campus Relations, 66 percent of the student body voted in favor of a $60 fee per semester, which started in Fall 2004 and will increase over three years to $185 per semester.

In a statement, UIS Chancellor Richard Ringeisen said, “We are very grateful for the vision and commitment on the part of those forward-thinking students. Their support for the center will have a far-reaching effect on the campus and the thousands of future students who will benefit from having access to such a wonderful facility.”

New Cap director furthers program's vision

By Janee Mitchell - Feature Writer

After a three-and-a-half year tenure as director of the Capital Scholars Program, Karen Moranski travels a new path as the Interim Associate Vice Chancellor.

Terry Bodenhorn was recently named the director of the Capital Scholars Program.

In her place, as the newly appointed director Terry Bodenhorn is developing fresh ideas for recruitment and academic activities. The change was executed as part of a “lower division expansion,” said Moranski, which led her to chair the general education working group.

Both Moranski and Bodenhorn were pleased with their previous positions. Bodenhorn said he enjoyed the position and said that “it's always a challenge to see what you can accomplish” in the program and Moranski also said she enjoyed her previous job. However, Bodenhorn and Moranski see this transition as a necessary path to fulfilling their vision.

Moranski said the general education working group was involved in the preparation of curriculum over the last two years for the program. Moranski further stated, “ The Cap Scholar honors had to be separate from the regular general education.” The current position, interim associate vice chancellor, opened for Moranski as a “natural progression from chair of the general education working group,” she said.

Moranski sees the transition as a promotion from her previous position while Bodenhorn sees the transition as “both a promotion and a new step.” Bodenhorn said he and Moranski have similar visions and they are just “carrying out or implementing the vision (they) already developed.”

The program is developed to allow for the proper separation from honors and general education students. Moranski said all of the entering students will be Capital Scholars, but there will be a division between regular students and honor students.

Moranski said, “I will miss being around the students as much as I have been for the last four or five years. The position I'm in is necessary and critical to the development of the campus, so it is important that I'm here.” From her new position Moranski said she is able to “highlight the importance of general education on campus and advocate for the students,” having “more of a direct impact on the big picture.”

Bodenhorn was the interim director for the CAP program during the summer and he said it prepared him for today. Although he said the change was overwhelming at first, Bodenhorn said he is in a “capacity to set priority lists for the program in discussion with the students and other faculty.

Bodenhorn said the chancellor appointed him because of his interest in the position and familiarity with the program. The final approval will be given by the department and according to Bodenhorn, has not yet taken place.

As a result of the position change, Bodenhorn will be doing less teaching and it is that aspect of his previous job he said he would miss most. In his new position as program director, Bodenhorn plans to do more developing in the program, emphasizing a focus on study abroad, greater student choices in courses, academic and intellectual activities and learning experience enhancement.

“The number one concern is to enhance recruitment of minorities and ensure their success,” said Bodenhorn. He also said that the program has a new full-time recruiter and a student advisory board to make the program more well known in an effort to increase recruitment.

Coming soon....

New Cap director furthers program's plans