In 1952 the L. A. Pittenger Student Center might have been a central location for students. In the past 54 years Ball State University, the campus and the students who attend it have changed greatly.
The student center needs to change as well, and plans for a new center shouldn't be filed away.
The L. A. Pittenger Student Center is getting renovated. It was built 1952 and most of the mechanical and electrical systems are original. This work is needed - it is maintenance.
The work just won't be completed until 2010.
This, however, leaves time for a lot of change.
Plans for building a new student center have been put on the back burner.
The decision to expand the Recreation Center was made last year, and the funds for the Recreation Center and the Student Center come from the same place, according to Kevin Kenyon, associate vice president of Facilities Planning and Management.
Plans for the student center include renovating and updating the infrastructure as well as the heating and cooling systems; improving technology in meeting rooms and making the center more inviting to students, said Bruce Morgan, the Director of Student Center and Programs.
All of these are great updates for a '50s building, but it does little to advance the concept of a student hub of activity.
By 2010, with expansions to the east side, the central point of campus could move from the Atrium, where it is now. In four, five, or 10 years the focal points of campus could move further to the east, or in an other direction.
Understandably, current students will likely not care about the renovation of a new center. However, on behalf of future Ball State students, a new student center should not be completely be ignored.
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