PIONEER VOICES: WHO WILL WIN SUPER BOWL XLVIII? | Page 12 University of Denver student newspaper since 1899
Vol. 121, Issue 3
jan. 29, 2014
www.duclarion.com
USG resolution urges Driscoll renovation Resolution passed unanimously; creates committee to give student input on Driscoll updates by brandon tate
temporarily used as a library, became vacant with Anderson opening,” said Hammerman. “Other than a select few organizations who choose to meet here regularly, this building that is called the ‘student center’ is very rarely used, and Anderson is where people go for activities now, but you Seniot Reporter have to do work and be quiet.” According to Director of Driscoll Last Tuesday, Jan. 21, DU’s Undergraduate Student Government (USG) John Nichols, the current plans for the unanimously passed Resolution 26, renovation of Driscoll have already urging university administration to been approved by Chancellor Coombe actively and immediately pursue reno- and will next proceed to review by the Building and Grounds vations to the Driscoll Committee of the Student Center. Board of Trustees. The resolution, “When students “Obviously the authored by Junior speak in favor of stumbling block for us Senator Adam Hamright now is we have merman, states that something like this, plan, we just don’t “The Undergraduate it definitely doesn’t the have the money,” said Student Government Nichols. “When stusupports the creation hurt anything.” dents speak in favor of of a new Student something like this, it Center; and, be it definitely doesn’t hurt further resolved, that -John Nichols, anything.” [USG] place demands Freshman Krison the administration Director of the ten Kennedy agreed to expedite the con- Driscoll Student with the resolution, struction of the new stating, “I don’t stay Center student center.” in Driscoll that often, Hammerman penned the legislation as a response to a I just use it to walk to class. I think if lack of usage of Driscoll rooms since the there was something interesting [for opening of Anderson Academic Com- students] I would stay there more.” Hammerman further commented mons (AAC) last year. “The Driscoll Ballroom, which was that expanding the functions of Driscoll
will provide students with a safe place to have fun with friends. “Students, both undergraduate and graduate, of the University of Denver do not have a facility in which they can both study and socialize with fellow classmates in a constructive environment,” the resolution says, continuing to say that although architectural plans for remodeling the student center have been in place, “DU administration has continually under prioritized the building of a new student center.” According to USG Advisor Carl Johnson, only three percent of the center’s facilities are open for students to use. Hammerman is currently trying to garner support for that to be expanded, trying to bring studentaccessible locations to at least eight percent of the facilities. “Our ultimate goal from passing [Resolution 26] is that so much student momentum will build from this,” said Hammerman. “In the long run [USG hopes] there will be donations from alumni or someone [else] willing to donate. We believe this is something students could really benefit from.” Nichols said the renovation of Driscoll was postponed in order to complete the Anderson Academic Commons project after the market crashed in 2008. Without the finances to complete both projects together, the Driscoll renovation was placed on the backburner.
Facilities to outsource, save $400k
53 years of tradition
DU Director of Facilities Jeff Bemelen sent an email to faculty and staff last month confirming the university’s entrance into a five-year Facilities Management agreement with Aramark, a professional services company that will now be in charge of managing the custodial services on campus. According to DU External Communications Manager Will Jones, none of the previous custodial employees were displaced by the decision, and wages and benefits will be preserved. Employees formerly in charge of supervising and managing DU Facilities Management will become Aramark employees on Feb. 1. Custodians under the collective bargaining agreement will remain DU employees. The university is expecting to save $400,000 in the first two years of the agreement. Most of the projected savings will come from a reduction in purchased
services, supervisor overtime pay and supplies, according to Jones. “The university felt that it was time for a change and we considered many options, talked to a number of other higher learning facilities and looked at every angle,” said Jones. “Aramark stood out because the company has the best technology, best equipment, best service and they align themselves with values and character comparable to our standards at DU.” According to their website, Aramark is an industry giant that holds 45 years of experience in schools, hospitals, sports arenas and businesses. The company has 270,000 global employees, some of which can be found in the 150 higher education facilities Aramark contracts with in the U.S. It is recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies and by the Ethisphere Institute as being among the World’s Most Ethical Companies.
Managing Editor Sarah Ford contributed to the reporting of this story.
photo courtesy of du archives and special collections
Students participate in a game of broomball in an undated photo of a Winter Carnival celebration.
SEE WINTER, PAGE 6
SEE ARAMARK, PAGE 2
One year of the Grind: Libations and hip meals abound LIFESTYLES | Page 7
QUOTABLE
by joe fries
Contributing Writer
Hammerman said he and USG members do not feel that Driscoll currently suits its role as a student center. “The way it is now for students is to primarily get to and from classes using the bridge,” said Hammerman. “However the University of Maryland’s student center, for example, has a movie theater, an arcade and a bowling alley. It is literally the center for students. Giving students the ability to go to a center like that would be great for [the university] to do.” Hammerman encourages students and student organization leaders to join the discussion on the recently formed campus-wide Student Center Committee. The committee is designed to allow students to voice their input on what could be done to improve Driscoll. Although renovation plans have been under development for several years, Nichols says he would welcome a student committee for more input on what students would like to see in a revamped student center. “The whole effort has been to bring that number [of students] up significantly and make a place students can hang out and socialize,” said Nichols. Anyone who is interested in supporting the endeavor can contact leaders of the initiative at DUStudentCenter@gmail.com.
“Winter Carnival must be readjusted so all members of campus can attend...” OPINIONS | Page 12
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Inches of snowfall in Denver as of Jan. 27, 2014