A New Beginning

As the semester comes to end, there’s a ton of students on campus excited to finally be done with classes and get a break. As for myself, it has certainly taken a while but reality is finally settling in for me, I will no longer be attending UNT. In a week, I will anxiously be waiting amongst the crowd of students to hear my name so I can strut my stuff across the stage. After 5 years (Yes, I admit 5 years), two universities, and a change in major, I will finally be receiving my Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance. It is exciting to finally be done with 17 years of school but nerve wrecking and quite unbelievable too.  I’ve had friend after friends ask me “Are you ready?” something I don’t really have an answer too. I’ve started worrying more about what I am going to do if I don’t find a career or a place to live.  The troubles of finding the perfect location to settle down in between family, friends, and my future job have increase.  I’ve also noticed some of my priorities have changed. I’ve been more focused on just finishing the race than partying it up.  I’ve also started focusing more on the friendships that truly mean a lot to me. In terms of my sorority, I’ve started stepping back more after being so actively involved and letting others take the lead.  It’s hard to believe that instead of having time to take a nap during the day or at my part-time job in hopefully less than 3 months, I will have made the transition to the “real world” and no longer be in the bubble that is Denton. Although, I am excited of not having exams, finals, project, etc., I know I’m going to miss it all. But I know I’ve left my mark at UNT, whether within my sorority, the other organizations I’m involved in or working for the Union Master Plan. In a few years when I come to campus, I will be able to see the fruition of all my hard work. The new and improved Union will be available for students to use. Something I helped to get passed after countless hours of distributing information for students to be better informed.  I’m thankful to have had so many opportunities to give back for future generations at North Texas.

Anacely Ledezma

Social Media Marketing Assistant

Your Union. Your Voice.
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Follow us on Twitter: @UNT_Union

What’s next?

I’ve been getting asked that a lot lately and it is a fair question.  After all, students just chose to support a referendum that would renovate and expand the current University Union.  If I was in your shoes, I would want to know “What’s next?” too!

Well, the good news is that the fun part is here!  After the Board of Regents review and give their approval on the current Union Master Plan timeline and scope on May 17^th and 18^th, a year-long process will start that involves thousands of meetings with architects, consultants, and construction managers.    The best part about these meetings is that YOU get to be involved every step of the way!

The Union Master Plan has prided itself on having a lot of student involvement and that will not change.  Throughout the next twelve months, we will be soliciting student input and asking for people to be a part of the planning process.  While many of you saw conceptual drawings of what the Union could look like, please understand that these drawings were just that… conceptual.  Now, you will have input into what the final design and features will be in the new University Union.  In essence, we are asking that you help us design it because it is your building.

There are a number of ways to help.  First of all, keep those comments coming on the Union Master Plan Facebook and official website, http://union.unt.edu/masterplan.  We are writing everything down and doing our best to accommodate any requests that may come up throughout this process.  Second, if you have more time, stop by the office and ask to be a part of the committee.  While it is an intense experience with a lot of meetings, you will have a direct say in what happens with the facility.  Finally, attend one of the many student forums that will be coming up or visit with the Student Government Association (SGA).  At this point, you can voice any concerns you have with architects or your student representatives. 

Regardless of how you get involved, we want to hear what is on your mind!

With that being said, let me give you a quick run-down on what to expect over the next year:

May 2012 – Board of Regent Review and Approval of Union Master Plan

June 2012 – Kick-Off Meeting (Chancellor, President, Steering Committee, and Master Plan Committee)

June 2012-May2013 – Union Design, Modular Unit Construction, and Transition Discussions

May 18, 2013 – Last Day to make reservations in the University Union

June 2013 – Vacate Student Union, see [Relocation Plan]

June 2013-June 2015 – Union Construction

June 2015 – Union Soft Opening

August 2015 – Union Grand Opening

Please keep in mind that we will be doing our very best to stay transparent throughout this process, so you know everything that is going on with the Union.  We will have continuous updates on Facebook, Twitter, and on our webpage.  We will have construction cameras, observations decks, tours, and many other ways for you to see exactly what is going on.  And finally, we will continue to seek your opinion through various student forums and design discussions, so please keep an eye out for these opportunities.

Thank you so much for your support up to this point and know that we need YOU now more than ever.

Your Union, Your Voice!

Zane Reif

Your Voice Moving the Union Forward

What a great day to be at UNT! On behalf of the entire Union Master Plan Committee, I want to send a huge THANK YOU to each and every student who participated in this process. Since this past summer, nearly 9,000 students have taken part in surveys, interviews and forums to help your new Union take shape. With your participation, you have changed the future and legacy of UNT. Amazing!

Know that this isn’t just about a building. This is about creating a new and exciting chapter in UNT history—and YOU made it happen!  It is so important that you continue to take part in the next steps of the Union project. The culture and energy of our campus is tied to this and must be brought forth in the new building. There will continue to be opportunities to give input from furniture to technology. Want to see something specific? Make it known. This is your union.

We’ve come so far and still have more to do. We look forward to continuing meeting and working with everyone to make our mark on the future of UNT. As always, your voice will continue to be the main component of the Union Master Plan.

Regards,

Jayleen Watson (student co-chair)
David Schuler (student co-chair)

 Your Union. Your Voice.

 union.unt.edu/masterplan

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 Follow us on twitter @UNT_Union

UNT students approve Union fee, building set to open in 2015

UNT students approve Union fee, building set to open in 2015

 

 

Exterior view of the proposed UNT Union design. More images are available online.

 

                                                    

DENTON (UNT), Texas ¾  Students at the University of North Texas voted to approve a fee increase of  $115 each semester to fund a renovated and expanded university union on the UNT campus. The new fee will go into effect in Fall 2014.

The official results of the student vote, which took place April 2 – 6 (Monday through Friday), show that more than 2,000 students voted on the union referendum and 54 percent approved the fee increase.

“The new union will provide enhanced services, facilities and programs for the entire UNT community,” said Zane Reif, director of activities and the university union. “The new union design concept also will be a home away from home for all current and future students, and the building’s sustainable design will continue UNT’s legacy as an environmentally friendly campus.”

The current university union, built in the 1970s, was designed to serve about 17,000 students. The UNT campus has grown to about 36,000 students and more than 2.5 million students visit the university union every year.

Construction on the new union is expected to cost about $130 million, and is designed to more than double the amount of student organization space provided in the current union, and will provide double the space for student lounges and art galleries. The new union also will provide more food service and entertainment space, auditorium and meeting space, a larger bookstore, state-of-the-art technology and sustainable design. The new union is designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

“I’m glad to see that the will of the students has been considered, and I’m happy to see UNT have a wonderful new union,” said Student Government Association President Blake Windham.

Construction on the new union is expected to begin in June 2013 and is expected to take about two years. During that time, all programs and services housed in the current union will continue to operate in nearby locations convenient to students, faculty and staff.

 

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More information on UNT: www.unt.edu/news

Become a fan of UNT on Facebook: www.facebook.com/northtexas

 

**UNT**

 

 

As the nation’s 26th largest public university and the most comprehensive in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, UNT is dedicated to providing an excellent educational experience to its 36,000 students while powering the North Texas region, state and nation through innovative education and research. A student-focused public research university with an emphasis on sustainability, UNT has 12 colleges and schools offering 97 bachelor’s, 82 master’s and 35 doctoral degree programs, many nationally and internationally recognized.

NT Daily Article Includes Relocation Study

An article in the Thursday, April 5 edition of the NT Daily included an article about the relocation study of the Union and information from the Dean of the College of Visual Arts and Design, Robert Milnes.

Milnes is quoted, “We talked for months about the possibility of modular buildings. What they’re doing is really quite wonderful.”

A detailed press release from the UNT System includes photos of the facilities and includes data such as space allocations, and support. As the article states, “the building will accommodate CVAD with about 4,000 square feet of additional classroom space in comparison to the college’s space in Scoular Hall, where students are sometimes forced to leave cramped classrooms to work on projects in hallways.”

A copy of that press release with details and photos can be found here: http://untunionmasterplan.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/proposed-union-relocation/.

The full story can be found on the NT Daily website, www.ntdaily.com or here: http://www.ntdaily.com/?p=65024

The referendum vote to fund a renovated and expanded Union through an increase in student fees is on the SGA ballot during election week. Elections take place April 2-6 on the SGA website, sga.unt.edu/voting.

For more information about the master plan, including design concepts and the transformation videos, visit union.unt.edu/masterplan.

Your Union. Your Voice.

Voting Week Update

Hey UNT friends!

Student volunteers from the master plan committee have a table at the Union all week to give out information and answer questions that you may have about the master plan project. The referendum is on the SGA ballot for the election this week, closing on Friday, April 6.

Go through this blog and check out all of the updates about the renovated and expanded Union. Since this project began two years ago it’s been an exciting journey speaking with students and hearing from them. To date, the committee has spoken with more than 9,000 students, held almost 500 educational and promotional sessions, and given out countless information sheets. If we have missed you and you can’t find the information you are looking for on the blog, we encourage you check out the website, union.unt.edu/masterplan.

Information about all of the hot topics on the SGA ballot can be found on their website, sga.unt.edu/voting.

Sincerely,

Your Master Plan Committee Student Representatives

Jayleen Watson

David Schuler

Laura Horn

Taylor Bailey

Dani McArthur

Blake Windham

Krystal Roy

Tyler Thomma

Lea Sarodjo

Xavier Carson

Amanda Overstreet

Adam Hasley

Ciara Tristan

Justin Wood

Katrina Roberts

Eluterio Vargas

Zuri Guerrero

Matt Cooper

Claire Kamenish

UNT Tuition vs. Union Fee

Top Concerns about the New Union

1. Displacement of academic community

Faculty, staff, students, and administrators from the academic community have been intricately involved in discussions regarding the Union Master Plan. Members of the faculty from departments in the affected halls have been active representatives on the Master Plan Committee since the project began. The University and the members of the committee are dedicated to doing this with minimal disruption to any academic programs. The University Master Plan does call for the demolition of Scoular and Stovall Halls. This plan was established in 2005, prior to the beginning of the Union plans.

The Provost, deans of the colleges, and UNT administrators are now working to finalize the long term plans for these programs. Please know that the students’ needs and program advancement are the upmost priority. These groups will continue to communicate with students and a student forum for these programs will be planned soon.

1. Construction Time and Operations

A conservative estimate for construction time for the renovation and expansion of the Union is approximately 24 months. During this time all programs and services that were housed in the Union, including food, entertainment, student affairs offices, and retailers will continue to operate in nearby locations that will be convenient to students. No student jobs would be lost during this time. The current plan schedules construction to begin June 2013 with an opening date around June 2015. As soon as locations are finalized a map and  listing will be made available to students.

1. Fee Increase

A survey of students conducted in 2007 indicated that the majority of students were comfortable with an increase of between $110-$125 per semester for a renovated and expanded Union. The referendum would call for an increase of no more than $115 per semester. Over a four year period that comes to around $1.33 per day.

The Union fee covers many different things, including operations, programming and entertainment, student services, meeting spaces, and the maintenance on the facility. Every cent of that goes to enrich the lives of students on campus in some capacity.

The committee is sensitive to the financial hardships of students, and as one of the largest student employers on campus we offer many benefits for our student employees. With a renovated and expanded Union, more student jobs would be created, offering opportunities for UNT students to help ease their financial burden.

Quick Glance

A few highlights of the proposed new Union plans:

• Natural Light, Openness, Clear Entries

• All New Interior Spaces

• Exciting New Exterior Image

• 24 / 7 Zone with Diner & Corner Market

• Sustainable Design – Target LEED Platinum

• All New Bookstore

• 15% more union Offices

• 75% more Food Service & Entertainment

• 75% more Auditorium & Meeting Space

• 100% more Lounge & Gallery Space

• 125% more Student Groups & Orginizations

For more information, please visit union.unt.edu/masterplan.

Proposed Union Relocation

Want to know what would happen if construction began to the current services provided by the Union, Stovall & Scoular Halls? Here are the proposed plans thus far. 

Your Union. Your Voice.

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