Campus Update
Amy Inkrott / News Editor / The USD Vista
Associated Students
At the May 2 AS Senate meeting, the student government was faced with appeals to the body’s election results. Speaker of the Senate candidate Charlie Young filed an appeal with the AS Elections Committee claiming that his opponent, Carolina Moreno Armenta, had violated the AS Election Bylaws. In his appeal, Young referenced a Facebook post made by USD Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) supporting a number of candidates, including Armenta. AS Presidential candidate Shanti Stender also filed an appeal with the Elections Committee for the same reasons as Young. During the meeting, however, Stender noted that some students were unable to vote through the portal in the first few hours of the election. While the elections committee approved these appeals, they chose not to disqualify the candidates included in the Facebook post.
At the senate meeting, the elections committee issued a statement. They recommended that the involved candidates work closely with the elections committee throughout the fall and spring election cycles. Additionally, they will table Student Org panels during elections as representatives of AS, and help with informing students and campus organizations about the elections process. This decision was made on the basis that Armenta told USD ANSWER to not endorse any candidates as it would jeopardize their campaign.
Young sought to issue a statement to the body appealing the election committee’s decision. He promised new information regarding the appeal and to address a concern in the election committee’s procedures. Before the meeting, AS Speaker of the Senate Alexander Plummer issued a statement decrying Young’s claim. On numerous occasions, AS advisor Jennifer Lee referred to Plummer’s statement and the Election Bylaws, invalidating Young’s appeal for a statement. Senator Rowan Parmenter repeatedly countered these claims through referencing other aspects of the constitution and bylaws. Multiple senators became frustrated by the cyclical conversations. After a slim vote, Young was allowed to speak during the final business and hearing of the public. The senate later determined that Young did not have any new information, and his statement was disregarded.
Later, Inclusion and Diversity Chair Jesse Magaña presented a resolution requiring that trigger warnings be included in all sensitive emails at USD. In a survey of 355 students, Magaña found that 70.4 percent of students believe the USD community would benefit from the presence of trigger warnings. This resolution was approved by the senate.
The Renaissance Plan
On Tuesday, Vice President of University Operations Ky Snyder, gave a presentation on the proposed Renaissance Plan. The presentation provides the campus community with a blueprint for the university’s upcoming construction and renovation projects. The Renaissance Plan is a part of USD’s Envision 2024 project.
Over the next five years, the University of San Diego plans to construct two new buildings. Construction on the Learning Commons is scheduled to begin this summer and last until Fall 2020. When completed, this building will offer students a 24-hour study space, nine collaborative study rooms, and 13 new classrooms. Additionally, students will have access to a grab-and-go dining location, and an outdoor study area.
USD also plans to build the Knauss Center for Business Education. This new building is set to replace the Olin Parking Lot. While little information is available surrounding this building, it promises new classrooms, offices, and interactive spaces for the School of Business. This building is expected to be complete in August 2022.
The Renaissance Plan also includes guidelines for proposed renovations. Currently, USD has $312 million in deferred maintenance costs due to building deterioration and their resulting refurbishments. Copley Library will be the first to undergo renovations, set to begin in mid-2019. All areas of the library except for the Mother Rosalie Hill Reading Room, also known as the “Harry Potter Room” will be closed until Fall 2020. When complete, it will offer 38 collaborative study spaces and 1,000 available seats.
However, the most drastic of these renovations will come in June 2020 when Camino, Founders, and Sacred Heart Halls will be shut down for 14 months. 300 first-year students will be placed in other residence halls and professors will be moved into temporary office spaces. Founders Chapel will not be accessible during these renovations. This project will be completed in August 2021.
Finally, Olin Hall is set to be renovated following the completion of the Knauss Center for Business Education. Olin Hall will be taken offline and all classes will take place in the Knauss Center.