As planning begins for the renovation and possible expansion of the Reitz Union, UF administrators and the Student Government must take care not to alienate students and faculty who are facing tough times.
Audacious plans for a "new Reitz Union" stand in stark contrast with UF's economic realities. Budget cuts that have plagued the university recently have led to program reductions and layoffs.
Stimulus funds have plugged much of that hole, but these funds are limited. Unless President Bernie Machen was right in predicting that there will be no additional budget cuts this spring or beyond, more pain may be ahead.
Even assuming no additional cuts will be made, the current budget is only sustainable after 15 percent annual tuition increases under the state's differential tuition program. This means more money out of students' pockets.
In the face of increasing costs, SG and university administrators, namely Reitz Union executive director Eddie Daniels, are seeking a $42.5 million renovation of the Reitz Union. In addition, the proposed Reitz Union expansion could cost as much as $56 million, according to Unite Party President Joey Regalado.
Ridding the Reitz Union Hotel of asbestos and updating the plumbing and lighting systems, all part of the planned renovation, is reasonable enough. While expensive, Daniels argues that these updates need to be made soon.
Unfortunately, money generated from sales at the union and the Activity & Services fee students pay as part of tuition will not cover the renovations. Daniels is seeking funds from other areas of the university.
Why sink tens of millions of dollars into a new building when revenue will not cover the updates needed for the existing one? Even if private or state funding can be found for the expansion, it is unlikely to cover the entire cost, and students will likely foot the bill.
The proposed expansion, which would include a "cultural village" and may be built on what is now the parking lot across from the current location, is clearly not the best use of SG or university funds.
The Reitz Union is aging fast, and at 42 years, it is clearly not the pinnacle of modernity that the expansion may aspire to be.
But it works, and it is not often used to capacity; many empty rooms and hallways can be found at the Reitz.
The Unite Party, which maintains the majority of the Student Senate after recent elections, established the expansion as a key part of its platform, including "a new Reitz Union" in a short list of goals on its Web site.
We understand that this goal was set in good faith, but we hope that the Unite Party, SG and UF administrators take the increasing costs of tuition into account when deciding whether to go through with the expansion.
A new, modern Reitz Union would be a great addition to the UF campus, but as students will likely bare much of the cost for renovations to the current facility, now is not the most appropriate time.
Rather, SG funds should be directed at increasing the quality and frequency of events held at the Reitz Union to make the most of what we have.
