The Presbyterian and Disciples of Christ Student Center at the University of Florida began 2011 searching for a new direction.
Since late December, the center, located at 1402 W. University Ave. next to Burrito Bros. Taco Co., has been temporarily closed because of financial and internal reasons.
The Rev. Alisun Donovan, mission coordinator for new missional communities of St. Augustine, said even though the center is closed now, there are plans for the future. Rather than continue a model used for more than 50 years, she said the ministry is moving forward.
She said it wasn’t financially viable that out of a university of more than 50,000 students, only 50 students used the Student Center facility on a daily basis.
The process to assess whether or not it was feasible to keep the center open began in September. After a few months of debate, it was finalized in December with a vote.
“The consensus was this was the right move,” Donovan said.
The Rev. Reginald Parsons agrees, but was hesitant to comment on any finances because churches are non-profit.
He said that the bigger concern with the center is how to make it a successful and helpful resource for students.
He said the ministry is going in a new direction with how to run campus centers. He hopes that a new visionary shape will form after research with other campus ministries across the nation that he and his committee will conduct.
“Hopefully, the local ministries will pick up with students now,” he said. “And we’ll get back in as soon as possible.”
Parsons said he is thankful for all who have helped the ministry and the center, and that he’s very optimistic for the future.
