Patriot Talon

Students, faculty and staff will have to wait a little longer to flood into the new University Center.

Administrators wanted the new UC completed by summer’s end, but construction setbacks made that goal all but impossible.

Delays and setbacks have held up University Center construction: from non-seasonal heavy rains to back-ordered steel. Now one University administration official says a mid-fall semester completion is the best he can hope for.

Vice President of Business Affairs Gregg Lassen said exterior glazing (glass) isn’t installed yet, and due to the outdoor elements, none of the interior work can be completed.

Lassen specifically cited the heating and air conditioning system and carpet as reasons for the delay, but for the UCs kitchen to be completed, it needs appliances – appliances which are in use at the Metamorphosis café.

Lassen said the Met will continue to serve students until the UC is finished.
In a previous Patriot Talon article, Lassen said he expects the UC and all it’s amenities to be ready in the fall semester.

“While there have been some setbacks, I have not given up hope that we will feed students in [the addition] by fall,” Lassen said. “Failure is just not an option. We’re going to continue to push and make that happen – we’re just not ready to throw in the towel.”
During the summer of 2007 the setbacks began, first with unseasonable rains creating a poor working condition.

In April, the Talon learned that several large pieces of steel for framing the UC roof were back-ordered.

“We got behind in the beginning and never caught up,” Lassen said.
The existing portion of the UC will be renovated once the addition is complete, Lassen said. The student services offices housed there would move to the ballroom of the new portion until renovation is complete.

Lassen said last April the UC should have substantial completions by August 11, and be ready for students at the beginning of the fall semester, but now he says that date is unlikely.