University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, August 24, 1977
13
Students' needs, demands dictate improvements to Kansas Union
Staff Writer
By DAN McGINLEY
Since the Kansas Union was completed in 1927, it has undergone several additions to keep up with the growing demands of the University.
"The Kansas Union has always been here to serve the needs of the students," Frank Burge, union director for the past 25 years, said recently.
The Union has grown and so has the number of students. Enrollment at KU in 1927 was only 5,337 compared to more than 60,000 who attended the Lawrence campus last fall.
The original Union building was a memorial to KU students and alumni who lost their lives in World War I. It was financed entirely through contributions.
NORTH AND SOUTH wings, which were added in 1963 at a cost of $2 million, doubled the size of the Union. Another addition, completed in 1960, cost $1.25 million and expanded the building north to Thirteenth Street.
In 1965, the addition of student offices and the enlarging of the bookstore were completed. The tunnel that extends to the X-zone parking lot was added three years
Woolfright Auditorium, the Alumni Association office and the Oread Book Shop was added in 1970. In April of the same year a fire destroyed approximately 40,000 square feet of the building and caused damage estimated at $2 million.
"We were out of service for more than 11 months in the upper two levels," Burge said. "Levels Five and Six were destroyed when our tour was damaged south of the lobby area."
BURGE SAID THE UNION had been improved by its restoration after the fire.
"we endeavors to restore the facility to its original condition.
"In the process we made some needed improvements."
Some of these improvements, Burge said, included the information, check cashing and travel counters, more attractive rest rooms and improved offices for the SUA.
"Another important landmark since fire was the Exhibit Gallery. Barge and ship at a gallery, on the south end of the displays works by faculty and students.
MORE IMPROVEMENTS have been completed since a survey in 1973. Faculty,
students and staff were asked for their recommendations for improving the Union.
"We wanted to find out two things," Burge said. "First, we wanted to find out how well we were doing the things we were doing." Finally, we wondered if the things we should be doing that we weren't.
The suggestions that were produced by the survey included recommendations to address problems of low satisfaction.
"We've added the Soup and Salad Bar and the Deli," Burge said, "and we increased banking services to include selling travelers checks and money orders."
THE MAIN ENTRANCE and lobby area were remodeled last fall. More than $360,000 was spent to remove the central stairway and increase and improve the lounge area,
"We asked them and they said loud and clear they wanted a satellite union."
which was refurnished with new chairs,
tables and carpet at a cost of about $50,000.
The floor system was also changed. Burge said to make it easier for visitors to find the office.
Directories posted throughout the Union show the location of various rooms and staircases.
Another service that was started during football season last year was the free shuttle service from the N-zone parking lot to the Union and to the stadium on game days.
FOOTBALL SEASON is a popular time for people to visit the Union and browse through the bookstore and buy KU T-shirts and other souvenirs. Burge said.
The Bookstore is one of the largest departments within the Union and sells a variety of art supplies, office supplies, calculators and, of course, textbooks.
The dining services include many different menus. The Dell offers old-fashioned sandwiches, the Soup and Salad bar serves soups and salads, and the Cafeteria features a choice of hot meals.
For those in a hurry, the Hawk's Nest and the Trail Room on Level Two offer fast food service. The Prairie Room on the upper floor offers breakfast and lunch order, served by waiters and waitresses.
THE SUA OFFICE in the Main Lounge area also offers many activities. SUA presents more than 250 films annually, including many current popular films. The films are shown in Woodruff Auditorium of the Union. SUA sponsors concerts at The Mountain Music Center year; "Wilderness Discovery," in the SUA office, rests camping equipment to students.
The travel information counter in the main lounge is operated by Maupintour and performs all the functions of a regular travel agency.
The information counter sells candy, cigarettes, and small souvenir items, cashes up to $25 and provides information for students for students to read in the Lounge.
STUDENTS CAN WATCH color television in the Traditions Room at the west side of the building.
The Oread Book Shop is the general book store of the Union. It has more than 18,000 titles and includes a large selection of best sellers, cookbooks, cookbooks, gift books and study aids.
Several rooms throughout the building are made available free to students, according to Leta Ehrman, reservations secretary.
"Rooms are available on a first come, first served basis," Erman said.
She said rooms were available to groups outside the University, but these groups
THE JAYBOWL ON Level One has bowling, billows, foosball, air-hockey and electronic game machines. Bowling leagues are formed each semester and tournaments in foosball, air-hockey and billards are scheduled by SUA.
The Union is taking steps to extend its services to the southwest part of campus with the planned satellite union. Construction on the new facility, to be built near Allen Field House, is to begin this fall, Burge said.
A poll was conducted during the 1976 spring semester to see if students wanted a satellite union. Burge said the results were nearly unanimous.
"WE ASKED TREM and they said loud and clear they wanted a satellite union," Burge said, "not just an addition to Wescow Terra but a complete new facility."
Burge said the same plans were being used that were developed for a satellite union which was proposed and rejected in 1968.
KU facilities planned for future
The fuel shortage, the environment, and the physical handicap performance will be not much more significant in planning over the next 10 years Max Lucas said that combining these factors
Lucas said the tobinbring these factors as necessary, but that they made expansion more likely.
"At the same time, we must face the environmental facts of life."
"We must provide an educational facility in which people can effectively study and work."
Responding to the challenge of natural gas shortages and rising prices, the University is working to end its dependence on natural gas, Lucas said. A steam heating system would convert solid waste into fuel to best suit campus buildings is under consideration.
LUCAS SAID THAT THE process, now being studied by University officials, would have the additional effect of disposing of what material at the expense of the enterprise.
"The construction of the plant depends on the results of the study, but we are open to suggestions."
Another major consideration in future construction will be accessibility to persons with disabilities.
Lucas pointed to the recent installation of elevators, restrooms and curt bits as part
of a long-range plan to remove ar-
tificial barriers to physically手
hanced handicap patients
"We are in much better shape than many other campuses, but it is a continual problem."
THE OFFICE of Physical Planning is now working on a three-year plan to improve current facilities to ensure compliance with HEW regulations."
The Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) has issued new regulations stating that all new and existing buildings must be accessible to persons with disabilities. The department that are accessible. Failure to comply will cut funding to the neiltest institution.
As part of a long-range landscaping plan to maintain and improve campus beauty, some of the temporary buildings now on the campus will be removed and relocated.
LUCAS SAID THAT removal of the temporary structures from the main campus awaits completion of buildings now under construction. The building between Green Hall and the Natural History Museum and the structure between Hochstetra and the former building removed upon completion of the new law building and the visual arts building.
Other temporary buildings will be moved to the Nelson Environment Tract. The building will be used for 25 years.
John H. Nelson, former dean of graduate
research at the University of Missouri,
for the study of impacts and vegetation.
Lucas said that West Campus would continue to develop as a service and research area for the University. He said that in the near future the Department of Buildings and Grounds would completely relocate west of Iowa Street.
"THIS WOULD ENTAIL construction of a major B and G complex with a garage, service area and work spaces for their various skills." Lucas said.
Parking problems, however, are a priority, Lucas said. He said that the University has planned a twolevel parking system and the Indiana streets to alleviate the crowding.
Construction of benches at various sites on campus this year is another segment of the plan, which will emphasize convenience and safety in addition to beauty. Lucas said.
LUCAS ADDED THAT bicycle paths or
thresholded areas that are not but are
an immediate priority.
THE $75,000,000 QUESTION:
The land on which the temporary buildings now stand will be returned to its original conditions, he said, as part of the campus beautification plan.
Where do you advertise when you want to reach the fun-loving $75 million market on the Hill, 96% of which comes off the Hill for entertainment?
The Answer:
THE UDK
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He also said that some of the temporary buildings now on the main campus would be removed and relocated in the new B and G complex.
111 Flint 864-4358
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