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Opinion: Graduation venue
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SINCE 1914
Issue 12, VOL 98 Nov. 18 - 24, 2010
Dome closure to impact commencement Forum on ‘23’ fee BY HANNA RUBIN
A Tent to be built for spring graduation
Renovations being made to meet standards BY JONATHAN NOVAK
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hirty-three years after its construction was completed, the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome is ready for a makeover. When it opened in September 1977, the Skydome’s construction was state-of-the-art, including the world’s largest clear-span timber dome. However, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fire and Life-Safety (FLS) requirements have changed since the time of the original build, and the university is making necessary improvements, said Rich Chipman, senior project manager of the Skydome renovations. “The initial mechanical renovations began [in] August 2010 but are generally not apparent, except for the concrete roof structure now
covering the utility yard on the north side of the Skydome,” Chipman said. The renovations will address outdated fire alarms and sprinklers, restrooms on the concourse and field level, stairs and railings, locker and training rooms, and mezzanines on the east and west sides to accommodate offices and meeting rooms. “Upon completion of this renovation, the Walkup Skydome will meet or exceed FLS and ADA requirements while maintaining its unique design.” Chipman said. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems will also be improved, as well as utility yard upgrades, elevators and seating replacement — which will restyle the stadium to provide full-bowl seating. NAU estimated the cost see SKYDOME page 9
BY HANNA RUBIN
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o many seniors’ dismay, NAU’s spring commencement will be relocated to a temporary structure while the Walkup Skydome is undergoing renovations. The temporary structure will be built in the South Commuter parking lot, which was chosen because it is the largest area on campus not affected by construction. Students are allowed to invite only six guests to their commencement due to the smaller venue, which can hold 4,700 people. The 164-by-295-foot temporary structure will be made of a light steel frame, with a fabric covering, heaters, glass doors and the ability to withstand an 80 mile-per-hour windstorm. Debra Larson, associated vice provost, said because the venue is smaller, everyone will be on one level, making the ceremony more intimate and the procession more traditional. “We actually think that the interior of the tent is going to provide a type of event quality that we could never have in the [Skydome], meaning that it’s actually going to be quite cozy and intimate,” Larson said. The team planning spring commencement received see a budget of GR AD
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TOP-LEFT: NAU released this illustration of the proposed renovations to the Skydome, including new seats and opening up the concourse. TOP-RIGHT: An representation of the tent structure in which spring graduation will be held. Top photos courtesy of InsideNAU. Photo by Sara Vesci see
SNAU held a forum for students this past Monday to express concerns about the use of the “23” fee fund. Opening the meeting, ASNAU senator Travis Owens said the goal of the assembly revolved around ASNAU receiving feedback, ideas and queries about the application of the “23” fee. “We just wanted to hold a nice forum for you guys on the “23” fee — if you guys have any questions and concerns on how it passed, what it’s going towards, how this whole thing came about and what we’re doing with it,” Owens said. A major topic of the evening was the specific application of the “23” fee that funded an on-campus concert with pop singer Ke$ha and rapper Dirt Nasty. Attendee Justin Strong, a junior criminology and political science major, said he thinks any future entertainment brought to campus needs to match the values of the university as a whole. “I think that a lot of us that were concerned with the Dirt Nasty concert ... making a stride to try and create a complete opposite atmosphere from that is ideal,” Strong said. “Bringing in speakers to campus, perhaps even to do a series, especially with people who do work on social justice issues [would be more beneficial].” Responding to several comments from the audience on the Dirt Nasty invitation earlier in the semester, Steven Sasser, an ASNAU senator representing graduate students, said taking away something desired by a majority of students would not achieve anything. “When an event comes like that, you can’t just brush it under the rug and expect people to push their opinions or desires behind,” Sasser said. “They simply become closet-case porn addicts. I say porn, not in the sexual term, but porn as in whatever entices them, whatever excites them. So if you don’t hold a Dirt Nasty concert, it doesn’t mean their desire to listen to pop top-40 trash-culture music is going to go away.” ASNAU Chief of Staff Kathleen Templin said her organization exists to support both sides of an argument, will not see FORUM page 3