Plans to redistribute space in the upper Student Union Building that would give Multi-Ethnic Programs more room are currently up for discussion by Associated Students and Multi-Ethnic Programs.
The upper level is now occupied by Multi-Ethnic Programs, AS, the Student Missionary Union, Student Development, the Collegium, the Chimes, the Department of Commuter Life and a study lounge. No space changes have been approved yet, and the process will be a long one, said Glen Kinoshita, director of Multi-Ethnic Programs.
Stephanie Dailey, head of Multi-Cultural Relations, the student liaison between AS and Multi-Ethnic Programs, said space isn’t a top priority in the program’s vision.
“We’re trying to help Biola grow in the way it addresses diversity, how it is fostering the environment and embracing the different people groups,” she said. “Our goal is to improve on the way we address issues of race and identity … as a Christian institution. There’s a lot of discussion about ways to do that.”
In order for a program or department to gain any additional space, it must fill out a project initiation form, signed by the requestor, department head, dean and vice president in charge of the department, and turn it in to Facilities Planning, said Ken Bascom, senior director of facilities planning. Bascom in turn gives it to Greg Balsano, vice president of university services.
If Balsano approves the request for space allocation, facilities planning and the original requestor discuss whether any other parties would be affected by the space, how much it would cost, and who would fund the move, Bascom said.
This topic has been under discussion for the past three years, but wasn’t seriously debated until this fall, said AS President Mark Heath.
“There might be different perspectives on how heavily the [the study lounge] is used,” Heath said.
Heath hopes to reach some definite decisions by the end of the semester. For now, the issue of space is simply up for discussion between the two departments.
“We’re just thinking through what [the Multi-Ethnic Program’s] plans are, what AS’ plans are, and working together,” he said. “There’s discussion about what the SUB is going to be used for. Nothing is definite yet.”
Not many students know about the project, as it is still under wraps, according to Kinoshita.
Students’ views on the topic conflicted.
“It’s a student building, not just for a specific branch,” said sophomore Brian S.. “Our money shouldn’t be spent on just one program. It’s important to communicate, to let [students] know what’s going on if something happens.”
On the other hand, some students welcomed the idea. Sophomore Mark Aguirre said the Multi-Ethnic Program should expand its space.
“We need that at Biola,” Aguirre said. “We need to promote diversity and this would be a small stepping stone.”
Shawn Kim, a senior music and worship major, isn’t disturbed by the potential of the loss of space, given that the upper level is mainly used for offices already. While Kim saw renovation as a good thing, he also said taking away student lounge space isn’t.
“The SUB could be more student friendly,” he said. “A lot of our things were shoved to the lower level after renovations,” which took place several years ago.
