NSSC Final Proposal 11-28-11

8/3/2019 NSSC Final Proposal 11-28-11

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New SouthStudent Center

F inal Proposal

Submitted By: Taylor Price (B10, MPS 12)


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Table of Contents

Cover Letter ...................................................................................................................................................1

Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................................2

Current status of the New South Student Center ..........................................................................................3

Why is the New South Student Center Important? .......................................................................................3

ReportonStudentSpace at Georgetown ...................................................................................................... 4

Summary of Cost Projections ........................................................................................................................5

Enhancement Descriptions .............................................................................................................................6

Conceptual Drawings

South Patio (View overlooking the Potomac River) ..................................................................................7

South Patio (View from Above) .................................................................................................................8

Possible Layout for First Floor Transformation .........................................................................................9

Pub/Eating Space ......................................................................................................................................10

Living Room ............................................................................................................................................11

North Courtyard (New South Patio) .........................................................................................................12

Open Study Space ....................................................................................................................................13

Current Conceptual NSSC Design ...............................................................................................................14

Proposed Referendum Language ................................................................................................................15


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1

November 27, 2011

To the Georgetown University Student Body:

The following proposal represents an extraordinary opportunity to impact our campus. The

information in this document will provide a better understanding of why this project is needed,but will primarily focus on the student bodys ability to make monumental enhancements to NewSouth Student Center (NSSC).

Over 1,000 students expressed their discontent with the state of student space in the Report onStudentSpace at Georgetown, a document published in April 2010 by a group of student leaders.As a result of this document, alumni, parents, and the administration made a commitment toaddress the need for student space by building the NSSC, a 36,000 ft. structure that will becomea signature feature of our campus.

The time to show the importance of student space is right now. Conceptual designs have been

created, but you can enhance this building to something far greater than is currently beingenvisioned. With a $2.25 million contribution from the Student Activities Fee Endowment(SAFE), you can expect to see usable space grow by 21% with the additions of a terrace thatoverlooks the Potomac River and a transformation of the first floor that would create anadditional 2,780 ft. of study and lounge space. In addition, the planned payment allocationstructure will hopefully allow the SAFE to accrue enough interest over the next two years to payfor fireplaces in the living room and possibly a central skylight.

Please join me in supporting this proposal by voting YES on Januarys referendum. It is vital thatyou remember that withoutthe passage ofthis referendum and the approval ofthiscontribution,the discussedenhancementswill notbe built!

Respectfully,

Taylor Price (B10, MPS12)


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Executive Summary

The mission of the New South Student Center (NSSC) proposal is to present a package ofenhancement opportunities for the student body to consider and approve on a January 2012referendum.

An approximate $2.25 million disbursement from the Student Activity Fee Endowment (SAFE)would be used to build the South Terrace and transform the first floor to include additional studyand lounge space. This gift will add features to the current plans that otherwise would not beincluded in the NSSC. Usable space will grow by approximately 21%, with the addition of 7,450ft.. Furthermore, this report makes a specific request that any funds that become availablethrough accrued interest or from unspent construction costs be allocated for the construction ofthree (3) living room fireplaces and a central skylight.

These recommendations, which will dramatically improve student life, are made after months ofmeetings and consultation with University officials including Vice President of Student Affairs

Dr. Todd Olson, Assistant Vice President of University Planning & Project Management ReginaBleck, Associate University Architect Amy Sanderson, and Director of Student Programs ErikaCohen-Derr, as well as representatives from the SmithGroup, Student Body President MikeMeaney 12, Student Body Vice President Greg Laverriere 12, and the Chair of the GUSASenates Finance and Appropriations Committee Colton Malkerson 13.

The NSSC became more of a focus and campus priority after the Report onStudentSpace atGeorgetownwas published in April 2010. The RSSG helped present the problems surroundingstudent space, recommended viable solutions, and provided a vision for the future.


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Current status of the New South Student Center campaign

The University publically announced plans for the NSSC in October during the launch of capitalcampaign. There had been a quiet phase of a fundraising, during which the administration

began talking with potential donors and soliciting funding commitments. The NSSC has been

fully vetted throughout the highly political conversations that govern development atGeorgetown and has been identified as a priority in the capital campaign.

The NSSC was included in the most recent 10-year campus plan and is fully supported by theAdvisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC).

The feasibility study and conceptual design processes for the NSSC are nearing completion. Thetimeline to completion is predicted to be: Fundraising (completed by June 2012), Constructiondesign (May/June 2012-February 2013), Construction (May 2013-July 2014), and a grandopening in August 2014.

Why the New South Student Center is Important

The Endowment Commission stated that proposals for spending this money must be distributedto projects that affect the entire student body and that will have a lasting impact

Student space is the foundation of student life on campus. The lack of quantity and quality spacestymies development in every aspect of undergraduate student life. The investment in the NSSCwill dramatically increase students ability to excel in the activities that comprise the whole of

student life. Unfortunately, Georgetowns student activity resources are not on a par with theuniversitys stellar academic reputation and have not kept pace with the amenities available at

many peer institutions. Students at Georgetown are keenly aware of the shortcomings.

The construction of the NSSC will help Georgetown remain competitive and demonstratecommitment to cura personalis, the concept of educating the whole person. This belief is acentral tenet of Georgetowns Catholic and Jesuit identity. Educating students wholly means

providing an environment that promotes opportunities to explore interests outside theclassroomexperiences that might include attending a lecture by a visiting scholar, becomingactive in student government, screening a student documentary or playing an intramural sport.

Finally, its worthwhile to note that a student investment in the NSSC will demonstrate acommitment to working with the administration and broader university community for thebetterment of Georgetown. The student body has a unique opportunity to serve as an energizing

force for the NSSC campaign in a manner that embodies Georgetowns character.


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Reporton StudentSpace atGeorgetown

In April 2010, a group of student leaders published the Report onStudentSpace at Georgetown(RSSG) in order to establish a student voice in the space conversation. The RSSG presented theproblem, recommended viable solutions, and provided a vision for the future.

The findings of this report were not surprising, but it concretely illustrated Georgetown students discontent with the quantity and quality of student space. In fact, 53% of the 1,001 studentssurveyed were dissatisfied with student space on campus. The report also showed studentopinion on where the greatest needs existed in student life. The top four needs, according to thestudent survey, were: study space (64% of students wanted more), social space (56%),dining/eating areas (49%) and meeting space (41%).

The RSSG stated that the NSSC is the best solution to address a range of student activitiesproblems because it will provide a center for student life. This facility will forever change theGeorgetown undergraduate experience.

This report played a prominent role in encouraging alumni, parents, and the administration tomake the NSSC a funding priority for the near future.


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Funding Goals and Payment Timeline

One hundred percent of the funds allocated from the Student Activities Fee Endowment for the NSSC would be to used grow and enhance current plans. An additional 7,450 ft. would becreated by building the South Terrace and transforming the first floor through extensive

renovation. As you can see below, these items would cost approximately $2.25 million.

Money allocated to the NSSC would be transferred to the University in accordance to adrawdown schedule that is agreed upon between University and the GUSA Senates Financeand Appropriations Committee (FinApp). It can be anticipated that 20% of the money would betransferred in the first year as a down payment, with the remainder being disbursed as requiredover the completion of the project. For example, the funds needed to pay for the South Terracewould not be needed until March 2014 because exterior enhancements would be completedtowards the end of the project timeline.

Given this information, FinApp and I are optimistic that interest would continue to accumulate

on the principal amount and allow for further student contributions. A specific request is beingmade that if this occurs that this money would be allocated to pay for three (3) living roomfireplaces and a central skylight.

Decisions about interest accumulation and allocation will be made at the discretion of FinAppafter consultation with proposal leaders.

Cost Estimates and Enhancement Descriptions

The information below includes a cost summary table for possible enhancements and

descriptions of each.

Cost Summary Table

Enhancement Base Price **Price includingSoft Costs (35%)

Priority

South Terrace $ 1,184,000 $ 1,598,400 1

First Floor Transformation $ 486,500 $ 656,775 2

SUBTO TA L $ 1,670,500 $ 2,255,175

Living Room Fireplaces (3) $ 90,000 $ 121,500 3

8x 8 Central Skylight $ 75,000 $ 101,250 4

TO TA L $ 1,835,500 $ 2,477,925

**Soft Costs are fees for the architects, engineers, the commissioning agent, obtaining buildingpermit, etc. These are required for any project, but are separate from construction costs.


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Enhancement Descriptions

South TerraceThis 4,670 ft. terrace would be built on the south side of the NSSC overlooking the PotomacRiver. It would be accessible from the proposed student Living Room and Open Study areas.

This enhancement is intended to create an exterior student gathering space with dramatic viewsof the river that could be used for lounge, study, and potentially outdoor events. The currentNSSC plans indicate no work in this area, except to patch or repair sidewalks and railings asrequired for safety. (SEE PAGES 7 and 8 FOR CONCEPTUAL DRAWING)

F irst F loor TransformationThis enhancement incorporates an additional 2,780 ft. into the NSSC after a completetransformation of the First Floor. This space would create more study and lounge space, althoughthe true functionality of this space is open for student dialogue. Current NSSC plans indicaterepair and paint work would be done to walls, ceilings, and floors in existing piano practicerooms, lobby and toilet rooms. Minor modifications to incorporate access to a new elevator

would also be made. (SEE PAGE 9 FOR POSSIBLE DESIGN/LAYOUT)

Living Room F ireplacesThree (3) fireplaces would be added to the Living Room space. Cost estimate accounts for demoof exterior wall and roof, new interior framing, wall and hearth materials, gas piping, andequipment. (SEE PAGE 11 FOR CONCEPTUAL DRAWING)

8x 8 Central SkylightAn approximately 8'x8'x4'high glass clerestory window/skylight would be built into the FirstFloor Courtyard, creating natural light to come into the center of the building. Cost estimateaccounts for cutting through existing structural roof slab and associated required waterproofing.


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South Ter race| Overlooking Potomac River


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South Ter race| View from Above


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F irst Floor Transformation | All New Space


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The Pub | Dining Lounge & Bar


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L iving Room


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North Courtyard | New South Patio


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Open Study | New Riverside Lounge


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Current Conceptual NSSC Design


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Proposed Referendum Language

You have a once in a lifetime opportunity to show how important student space is to your educationand development as an individual. While the proposed plans for the 36,000 ft. New South StudentCenter (NSSC) already contain a student pub, copious amounts of study and lounge space, amultipurpose room for banquets and performances, and two new dance studios, morecan be done.With the passage of this referendum, the amount of usable space will grow by almost 21% bybuilding a breathtaking terrace overlooking the Potomac River and more study and lounge space on

the first floor. It is also possible that fireplaces in the living room and a central skylight could beincorporated depending on future interest accumulation and unspent construction costs.

Without a student contribution, these features will not be a part of the NSSC.

Over 1,200 students expressed their discontent with the state of on campus space in the Report onStudent Space at Georgetown, published in April 2010. Subsequently, alumni, parents, and theadministration made a commitment to start fixing the problem by designating the NSSC a priority inthe recently announced capital campaign.

Please vote YES to ensure that the NSSC will be an integral part of our campus that will impact the

lives of tens of thousands of future students, while knowing we helped them!

NSSC Final Proposal 11-28-11

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