The Reitz Union’s facelift may be funded through the help of a student fee.
Jaleesa Joseph, chairwoman of the Reitz Union Board of Managers, stopped by Tuesday night’s Student Senate meeting to give a presentation encouraging senators to support a student fee that will raise money for its renovation and expansion.
She said the Reitz Union was built for 19,000 students in 1967 and is now overcrowded and ill-equipped to handle the needs of students.
Joseph said the renovations would cost about $42.5 million. She said some of the building’s flaws include an aging air-handler system and an inadequate electrical system.
Unite Party Sen. Sadie Dean, who represents District D, questioned how students would be able to afford the fee.
Joseph said the Reitz Union Board of Managers would try to keep the fee as low as possible because they understand that these are tough economic times.
“We’re not trying to break anyone’s back, by any means,” Joseph said.
Senate also passed an amendment to the Activity & Service Fee Budget that will transfer about $150,000 from Accent and Student Government Productions budgets to the budgets of special events groups responsible for organizing heritage and awareness events of campus.
IRHA also uses the funds for its Residence Hall Week.
Unite Party Sen. Virlany Taboada, the chairwoman of the budget and appropriations committee, said moving the money to the organizations’ own budgets will allow the groups to have more say in the speakers and performers they bring to UF during their events.
