A new campaign called “Vote 4 More” has been started by the York University Student Centre, to gather support for a brand new student centre.
The campaign asks to students to vote for a new levy to support the construction-related long term financing of the new student centre, as well as the associated operating, maintenance, and building renewal costs, according to the website.
“The new student centre, which would be located between the Osgoode Hall and Atkinson Building, would be completed in 2016 according to the campaign.”
With posters distributed all over campus, the Vote 4 More campaign describes the new student centre as a multi-purpose facility that is going to provide for the growing needs of the York community.
The university has been discussing a new student centre with the York Federation of Students and the Student Centre Corporation, and at the last Board of Governors meeting, it was decided that “once the program for a second building is clear, a site will be confirmed and a student levy will be held to finance the construction,” according to the minutes.
A user committee, made up of undergraduate and graduate students including members of the YFS and the York University Graduate Student Association, will be established in the Spring of 2014 and would determine the main functions of the new student centre.
The building design proposed by the campaign is 6 storeys, including the basement.
“The construction of the new student centre would commence once the design of the building is finalized with a projected completion date of fall 2016.”
Described as a student-focused space, the proposed student centre would offer 14,000 square feet of study space, double the amount of student centre club office space, 20 per cent more gym space, 33 per cent more lounge space, and 85 per cent more multi-faith prayer space.
The proposed building would also include green sustainable strategies, which include rooftop solar panels, urban/community farming, a green roof system, significant energy saving, biomimicry, low impact development, and green lighting.
Hamid Adem
News Editor
