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President's Message |
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The first phase of the $29 million Student Union construction project ended with the February 14 opening of the first new bookstore the Associated Students at California State University, Chico has had in more than thirty years. Phase Two, remodel of the old BMU, is scheduled for completion by early 2001. The new 52,000-square-foot, three-story building encompasses a full city block. More than 100,000 retail items from the existing 10,000-square-foot bookstore in the Bell Memorial Union were moved into the new 40,000-square-foot bookstore. Union Express, a new convenience store, is housed in a 2,000-square-foot space in the front of the bookstore. Galleria Books, the general books section, and Union Express stay open later than the main bookstore to serve students who live in the residence halls or have evening classes. The Associated Students BMU and Bookstore Expansion Project is the culmination of years of effort by student leaders, A.S. staff, and university administrators, and was prompted by a student-approved Student Union fee increase over four semesters. David Buckley, A.S. general manager, says that bookstore sales will pay for the entire expansion of the new bookstore. Since 1929, the bookstore has been owned and operated by the students of CSU, Chico. This means that revenue that is not spent on daily operations helps support student services, facilities, and programming. “The Union Express is doing a phenomenal business—over $2,000 a day since opening,” Ron Johnson, former A.S. bookstore director told Inside Chico State in March. “Since we must pay for the new building entirely through profits, this is very good news.” The project originally proposed only the addition of a 15,000-square-foot multi-use room to seat 1,000 people for concerts and events. The project was expanded to include the new connecting three-story building housing the bookstore, administrative offices, Community Action Volunteers in Education (CAVE), meeting rooms, an art gallery, and a computer lab. Combining the two projects saved $636,250. Phase two is the major renovation of the old BMU, including the expansion of the Garden Café and the addition of an outside dining area overlooking the Free Speech Area. The remodeled basement level will include a lounge and TV area, e-mail stations, and a game room. Additional meeting rooms will be created along with space to house A.S. offices. “We are very excited about the possibilities this new facility will offer the campus community,” says Buckley.
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