At the forefront of the Assessment Planning Initiative are plans to construct a student center. Advocates say the campus lacks a central hub where students, faculty, staff, and administrators can congregate, as well as space to hold meetings and functions.
Executive Vice President Pat Keating said a committee of students, administrators, and faculty is working to define the image and components of the new university center.
This recent development, however, is just one in a string of events that began several years ago.
The university center was first proposed to be constructed on what is now McElroy Commons at the corner of Hammond and Beacon Streets. All the building plans had been approved, but Newton residents protested its construction.
The University then decided to change the proposed location to Lower Campus, between the Plex and Robsham Theatre.
"This was a better idea since it would be nearer to the center of campus," said Brandon Slaughter, member of the Students on the Philosophy of the Student Center Committee and A&S '05.
"Lower, with the acquisition of the Archdiocese land and the construction of Campanella Way, and all the new dorm buildings, had become the hub of student life," he added.
It would be blended in with the Plex, transforming it from merely a student center to a gym facility. There were alternate locations for it as well like the parking lot beside Fulton, connecting it to Middle Campus.
In the proposal, it also stated that it would be called a university center instead of a student center because it would be a place for all of Boston College, both students and faculty, to congregate.
"It would host student events, faculty events, and even university events on the weekends," said Grace Simmons, president of the Undergraduate Government of BC (UGBC) and A&S '05.
While the university center is at the top of the Initiative's list, something must be done in the interim. The Eagle's Nest and the second floor of Corcoran Commons will be renovated this summer to alleviate space problems.
These supplements definitely do not mean that the university center is being set aside.
"It remains a top priority for the institution as a part of the campus strategic planning effort that is now underway," said Keating.
What the center would hold remains uncertain and at the whim of student, faculty, and administrative opinions.
All groups, however, agree that the university center should be a place for gatherings.
"It would be an all-encompassing place for students, the arts, faculty, and even the administration, which would increase school consciousness and continuity," said Slaughter.
He said it would be a good place for the arts since Robsham is quite limited in its capacity.
"Take for example, the ALC Showdown. The 591 capacity that the theater could hold was not enough for the show but it also isn't a great place to hold smaller shows," said Slaughter.
"By having a university center, the arts would be given a better and more suitable place to perform."
The committee surveyed different colleges and universities with existing student centers for ideas on what it could and should hold. It found that student centers overall were important in creating a link between the students all over campus.
Students can contact administrators and faculty to give some input on what they would like in it.
"The University has enough experience to know how to cater to students at Boston College, but student input is still very important to them. By keeping an open mind, they are able to better the idea and make improvements to the overall plan," said Simmons.
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