Voting Opens Today for the Student Center’s Re(in)novation Referendum

Voting begins today for the Student Center’s Re(in)novation Referendum, which will determine whether students approve of a new mandatory fee to support the renovation and expansion of the Student Center.

Voting is open until Wednesday, March 16, at 11 p.m., at www.elections.gatech.edu. The vote concludes a six-week campaign meant to illustrate for the campus the many reasons why the re(in)novation project is necessary.

“We’ve had a lot of fun the past six weeks talking with students about the opportunities we’ll have in a re(in)novated space,” says fourth-year student and Re(in)novation Champion Anna Berinhout. “Once students see the compelling stats, most agree that these changes are needed.”

The proposed fee will not exceed $85/semester and will not take effect until the new facilities are open for student use in approximately three to five years. The fee would be used to cover 50 percent of the $100 million capital cost of the project, which includes adding 120,000 square feet to the building’s footprint to meet the needs of the Georgia Tech community.

To get an understanding of what that new square footage should include, the Student Center carried out a visioning research and assessment exercise with more than 250 students, staff, and faculty in fall 2014 and spring 2015. Research results revealed a need for additional study, social, and relaxation lounges; student organization space; retail and dining services; and meeting, event, and outdoor spaces.

If students vote to move the project forward, the Student Center will begin a series of focus groups, forums, surveys, and pilot spaces to gather student suggestions until the design phase is complete.

Between now and next Wednesday, the Student Center team will be out on campus with information, giveaways, and programs encouraging students to vote.

“Students rarely get the chance to weigh in on something that will have such a lasting impact on Georgia Tech,” said Student Center Interim Director Lindsay Bryant. “We want to make sure we hear from as many students as possible, to know we’re building something the whole student body can get behind.”

Activities for the week include opportunities for students to build their dream spaces out of Legos® and see the view from the Student Center roof — a key consideration for useable space in the new facility. Additionally, Behind-the-Scenes Tours of the building will be offered every day during the voting period to give students a look at the critical needs of the current facility. The 45-minute tours depart at 11:10 a.m. from the Information Desk, located on the second floor.

Learn more about the project and vote week events at www.reinnovation.studentcenter.gatech.edu.