Mourant Modification
As early as next semester, Mourant Cafe will look drastically different. Plans involve a 55” TV, a fireplace and soft furniture, according to Director of Student Services, Tish Satre.
By: Craig Bergquist
With three years in planning, the University is finally prepared to make some serious changes in Mourant. However, the costs of these changes are adding up. The current plan is to take the greater “vision” one step at a time.
Satre described the vision of Ke Mell UAS' Architect. “She spent some time looking at the space and telling us how it could be used, and instead of a flat roof we could make it an A and pull more light through. We have such an incredible view here, and we really don't captivate it the way that we could.”
The University has invested about $200,000 in the current step of the renovation. Students might be wondering where the money is going, what changes to expect.
“Right now we have enough money to re-carpet, to repaint, to take out the wall at the lake room and to put some soft furniture in along with a 55” TV. We have plans to leave the tables, but put in new chairs. The fireweed room is the catering room,” Satre said. “There is also an alcove over by the windows where we have plans to install some fresh food vending. That way instead of locking out people who are on campus at night, we can keep it open until 10 and have a place where they could be studying and actually have some access to food. Our hope is to clean up the space a lot.” It is after this summer however, that the improvements lose their time line.
There is also talk about bigger plans like a fireplace, or maybe even a deck. “Satre was very enthusiastic about the idea of a deck by the lakeside. “Wouldn't that be fabulous, we could really incorporate this view. We could get some outside heaters, maybe have a covered space out there, it could really be incredible. But that is all big money.”
“The big improvements really are money dependent,” Satre continued. “What they are going to do is price out each section of the project. What I will expect is that they ask the Student Government they will ask the dining services advisory group, they will ask a lot of people about what the next priority is. Should it be the internal, should it be the house posts, should it be the fire place, or should it be that deck?”
The administration wants keep students happy, and they want students to be able to take pride in the UAS campus. “The vision is to try to create a space for the students that they want to be in. This is probably one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States. Mourant is evolving. I am excited to see where it brings us. These kinds of improvements seem to captivate the heart of the institution and I think that this can become a place where students come together.”
Mourant is changing, and talking to your student government is the best way to make sure that it is in a way that you want. You can help them realize this vision by going your students senators and letting them know what you would like to see happen. Or even easier, send them an e-mail at jypres@uas.alaska.edu.
