ASUP announces CIF projects

By Kathryn Walters Staff Writer walters14@up.edu

On Monday, Nov. 14, the ASUP Executive Board announced the projects it will fund with this semester's Capital Improvement Fund (CIF): a new awning and heat lamps for the outdoor seating area by The Anchor and a new computer system for the ADvantage program, UP's student-run advertising agency coordinated by ASUP.

Junior and ASUP treasurer Caitlin Chu said the awning and heat lamps for The Anchor, which ASUP plans to have installed by the end of the school year, will benefit all students and not just those who live on campus.

"I think it's a great use of that space," she said. "People who live in the houses sometimes have no cell service, so it'll be nice for them to come over and make their phone calls and have it be warm."

According to Chu, the ADvantage computer system, which creates and monitors the advertisements displayed on televisions all over the UP campus, is in need of replacement.

"There's not enough hard drive to support the programs," Chu said. "They're looking at another computer that will be more efficient and not lose documents."

The four other plans that were up for consideration for the CIF fund included bike pumps, the renovation of St. Mary's Student Lounge, new sports equipment for Howard Hall and a walking path along The Bluff.

The CIF budget equates to 10 percent of the ASUP budget, which is funded from the student activities fee every UP student pays as a part of tuition and fees every semester. This money, which totals roughly $20,000 each semester depending on the size of the student body, goes toward UP's physical improvement.

"The intention is that student government uses money to immediately address the concerns of students, and do it in a timely manner," alumna Sarah Carroll, guest speaker at the meeting, former ASUP president, and Young Alumni on the Board of Regents, said at the meeting.

The ASUP Executive Board drew up a list of ten possible physical improvement projects, such as a walking path along The Bluff and a renovation of St. Mary's Student Lounge. Last week, ASUP senators voted on the top six projects they believed would be most valuable to the University and its students. From there, the Executive Board chose two projects.

"We based it on what we see as feasible and cost-effective," Chu said.

ASUP senator and sophomore Brandon Morgan said he has heard a lot of support for The Anchor expansion.

"A lot of people I spoke to thought The Anchor is a great idea," Morgan said. "The heat lamps add a level of luxury. I'm happy with it."

Junior Brittany Balajadia said the heat lamps will be a welcome addition for students who visit The Anchor when the weather gets cold, especially students who live in Tyson and Haggerty or Fields and Schoenfeldt halls.

"Instead of people hiding in buildings, they'll be able to relax outside," Balajadia said.

Morgan said the current ADvantage computer, which will be replaced after winter break, is not doing its job. According to Chu, the slow computer system has affected the effectiveness of the advertisements.

"The system isn't too compatible with the computer," Morgan said. "It's not a good situation."

Although the majority of the funds will go toward the ADvantage computer and Anchor additions, it is possible that the Executive Board will also consider other options, such as St. Mary's.

"We are going to see how much these two projects cost," senior and ASUP vice president Chloe' Ruffin said at the meeting. "From there we are going to then look back at how much money we have remaining and then divvy it up between other items on the list."

"The Library is going offline next year, so St. Mary's might become the new study hotspot," Chu said.