Digital renderings of possible Union renovations.
Contributed Photo
Plans revealed for Kansas Union renovations
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Contributed Photo
ANDREW ROSENTHAL
@rosentrotter
The KU Memorial Union organization is
planning to renovate the Kansas Union, but students will have to approve an increased fee for the plans to become a reality.
Thursday evening, the Union advisory committee unveiled "Redo Your U," a collection of potential concepts and illustrations to revitalize the Kansas Union.
The Union directors, Lisa Kring and David Mucci, said that student advisory boards have voiced concerns regarding access to light, accessibility and usage of the Union facilities.
"[The Union is] in need of greater connection, open brighter spaces, access to student services, improved energy efficiency and newer infrastructure," Kring said during the presentation.
Some possibilities that were presented included transforming the lobby into a "lively club venue" with a goal of creating a "game day hub."
The advisory committee also wants to make the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, along with Student Senate offices,
more immediately visible.
Upgrades to the Union's dining facilities were also proposed. A renovation of the dining area on the third floor would convert it to an "attractive, flexible gathering site." Kring said during her presentation.
The advisory committee also spoke about ways to engage traffic on Jayhawk Boulevard to direct more students inside the facility.
[The Union is] in need of greater connection, open brighter spaces, access to student services, improved energy efficiency and newer infrastructure."
Lisa Kring Union director
The renovations would require a referendum to increase student fees by $50 for the 2020 fiscal year. The fee will be voted on in February, as student leaders continue to promote the project over the course of the semester.
In comparison to the other six Regents institutes, the University has the lowest Union fee at $59.70. Emporia State has the highest with $233 in total union fees. The referendum would make the University the fourth most expensive at $109.70.
For many years, students have worked together with faculty, voicing their concerns in effort to modernize the union, Kring said.
"With 1.9 million users per year, the Union is the University's community center," Kring said.
Student leaders Chance Maginness and Rachel Asbury presented the campaign. The committee has plans to hold more meetings in the future to talk about the plans in more detail.
Maginness said he hopes the new renovations will be indicative of the University's reputation.
"We're doing all these things to make sure that KU leads the world, like it always has," Maginness said.
- Edited by Chandler Boese
Keary named police chief
The University has named Chris Keary as the new chief of police. Keary, a veteran officer, served as the interim chief of police for the last nine months.
▶ CHANDLER BOESE @Chandler_Boee
A University alumnus, Keary started out in the Office of Public Safety as a student employee, according to a University news release. He eventually became assistant chief of police, a position that he held from 1998 until this January.
In the release, Keary said, "I am honored to be chosen as KU's chief of police. The employees of the KU Public Safety Office strive to provide a safe environment for the KU community, and I look forward to leading them as we continue that effort."
Keary took the interim position after former chief Ralph Oliver retired at the end of 2015.
administration and finance, in the release.
Capts. James Anguiano and Bobby Williams were promoted to deputy chief.
"Chris has done an outstanding job leading the office during this interim time frame," said Diane Goddard, vice provost for
Contributed Photo
Contributed Photo Chris Keary was named the new University chief of police.
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