goufgators

Looks like there are some plans to either expand or build a new student union on campus. This is great news for students looking for newer amenities and services.

The Independent Florida Alligator: News - Architectural firms to discuss plans for new student union

Indirectly related note: I was on campus a couple of weeks ago and I saw that there is also major expansion happening at the SW Recreational Center. LOTS of new campus construction amid rough financial times.

lizard

The Reitz Union is functionally obsolete. Don't be surprised if the whole thing is torn down and replaced with an entirely new student union facility. Gould Evans architectural firm, mentioned in Florida Alligator article, designed USF's new student union in Tampa.

gthopeful

I'm glad. Reitz looks pretty awful for being the center of activity for campus. The architecture is too 1960's for me.

Gatordad77

I was a student in the 70's and the building was ugly then. It needs to be demolished, for sure!

goufgators

I wonder what will happen to the new bookstore and welcome center? I guess they could keep that part of the union intact and just build around it.

rainydysndmondys

The rumor is that they would build a bridge across Museum and build a new building on that parking lot. The old one would be renovated.

This "good news" for students is not coming for free. It'll be funded by an imposed fee that has yet to be announced [I've heard $100 per student, however that's not really founded]. As the Reitz Union is a separate entity it's unclear whether or not the new building would have to live up to UF's standards such as their commitment to LEED certification. As a student, I am not sold on this.

SSobick

Newsflash - UF is still the 2nd best deal in all of higher education. Students should pony up the dough for a state-of-the-art Student Union.

They shouldnt use Florida's tax dollars for this in my opinion. Use the tax dollars on future research facilities to bolster the state economy.

DiGamma23

renovation won't cut it. that old building should be razed...maybe replace it with an attractive office building.

big_al_40

I wouldn't want to pay anything for a new student union. I don't really ever go into it as it is now. I mean it isn't that bad, its a food court, a game room downstairs, and some meeting rooms+the conference room, but there is nothing students really need there except to eat, but all that happens is UF collects major money from restauraunt chains to have a restaruant there and then allow them to charge students exorbitant prices/not take coupons/not take gift cards.

technol21

I'm still kind of on the fence about it (especially if there will be significant fees), but the video that has been made about the changes is pretty interesting and helps put the issue into perspective, though I still don't understand the sudden urgency: Rebuild the Reitz Union

zebes

I don't disagree that they probably do need to do something with Reitz. But I had a momentary pause when the person on the video said something like, "we don't want to take a backseat to FSU, USF, UCF ...." in relation to their student unions. I wish they felt the same thing about their honors program. Even though my d did not seriously consider UCF because of a variety of reasons, the one pulling factor that UCF had was their honors college (her brother's in Burnett). I cannot tell you how disappointed we are in UF's 2 year honors program in comparison to that honors college and even the honors program at, believe it or not, UNF that her best friend's in. I wish UF was as frustrated about that, too.

zebes

luckybamboo

This is the most absurd idea to rebuild the Reitz Union...who cares if architecturally it is not the more asthetically pleasing building to look at-it performs a funtion (which is to feed kids and offer space for meetings, banquets, etc.) and it performs it well. Who gives a crap about what FSU or USF or UCF's facilities look like, they need that in order to draw students in, UF doesn't. As far as honors programs, UF's is fine- I guess you are talking about all the perks that UNF and UCF and USF throw at students. You will be getting a more quality education overall though at UF. I know people at each of those schools that are in the honors program, and I can say that UF by far has the harder classes-it actually is amazing how much the other Florida schools baby their students, it kind of is disgusting.

lizard

If it is estimated that almost $50 million is needed just to renovate the existing Reitz--you can be sure it will probably cost around $100 million to build a new student union. It is costly to operate these big new student unions too; the monthly utility bills alone for USF's new $65 million student union exceeds $100,000/month.

goufgators

I think the decision is going to come down to demand. If enough students want a bigger and better student union, then a new one should be built. I say demolish this old building before the National Register of Historic Buildings deems it untouchable!

gthopeful

What's wrong with it? Tons of challenging classes and (I think?) priority registration as well as the best dorms on campus. I have no clue what the UNF/UCF honors colleges offer, but I feel like they probably have to offer more anyway because the difficulty of the education is lower.