Daily Egyptian

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Daily Egyptian TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2015

DAILYEGYPTIAN.COM

VOL. 100 ISSUE 30

SINCE 1916

Prepping for the test

Jacob Wiegand | @JacobWiegand_DE Minju Kim (tbottom-left), a sophomore from Korea studying business and marketing; Mohammed Alabdulwahab (bottom-right), a sophomore from Saudi Arabia studying electrical engineering; and Yae Ji Kim (top-right), a sophomore from Korea studying biological science, study for their statistics and calculus exams at the Student Center on Monday. Alabdulwahab said he is a bit stressed, but does not feel too bad about exams. Minju usually studies individually, but today decided to join her friends in the Student Center.

Cuts force restructuring Neckers, parking lots to get upgrades next summer of student programs KRISTEN LEVINE | @KLevine_DE

Budget cuts have led to the merging of two offices and one man losing his job. The University Programming Office and the Student Life office merged on July 1, in what’s now known as the Office of Student Engagement. Blake Bradley, the coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life, will not have his contact renewed because of budget cuts and the new blended office. Bradley was hired on a one-year interim basis to oversee Fraternity and Sorority Life. He took over the position after Andy Morgan became the acting associate Dean of Students. The coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life serves as the primary staff member working with the univeristy’s 34 sorority and fraternities and four governing councils, Bradley said. Vamsi Manne, associate director of the Student Center, said the decision not to

renew Bradley’s contract was made in an effort to be more fiscally responsible. Manne said he will oversee the converged office and Morgan will again oversee the Greek community after Bradley’s departure. Bradley said the university must make difficult decisions regarding finances and the budget to provide the same quality experience for as many students as possible. “At the end of the day, at least in my opinion, it is vastly important that decisions made result in minimizing the negative impact on the student experience,” Bradley said. Since Bradley’s contract wasn’t renewed, he will no longer be employed by SIU after Dec. 30. “I am pursing options at this time and hope to find a fit at a university setting,” Bradley said. “Wherever I end up, I do know it will be falling up versus falling down.”

@DAILYEGYPTIAN

Please see BRADLEY | 2

CORY RAY | @coryray_DE

The SIU Board of Trustees approved the replacement of the Neckers Building heating and air conditioning system, and renovations of parking lots near Saluki Stadium and SIU Arena on Thursday. Interim Chancellor Brad Colwell and Kevin Bame, vice chancellor of administration and finance, recommended the proposals for the renovations. Parking lots 37 and 52, which are adjacent to the south side of the Engineering Building, and the section of Saluki Drive between US Route 51 and Douglas Drive will undergo resurfacing. The work is anticipated to happen next summer. The projects are expected to cost $750,000, which will be paid for by the Parking Division and Parking Facilities Replacement and Reserve Fund. Each lot will also have lighting replaced and mounts for possible security cameras to be installed. Cameras may be installed if renovation costs are less than the projected

amount, otherwise it will be deferred. “The infrastructure would be there if we wanted to run security cameras,” Bame said. “I think eventually we will go there.” He said the strip of road has wear and tear from traffic and the base has given out. A new asphalt top will be laid after the base is restructured. “The infrastructure under it is not as solid,” Bame said. “It’s going to be a little bit more extensive work on that section.” The HVAC system in Neckers, which has been in use since 1963, is also past its prime. Sam Quinn, a freshman from Pontiac studying zoology, said many classrooms in Neckers tend to be abnormally hot and some teachers even have to open doors to try to cool the rooms. Bame said the estimated lifespan of the unit is between 30 to 40 years. “It’s been maintained, and that’s been the reason we’ve been able to get some extra life out of it,” he said. “Now it’s time to replace it.” Please see CONSTRUCTION | 2


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