March SAC Minutes of 2007

We didn't have any self nominations for the SAC committee so I was asked to stay on as the representative for district 11. In the March meeting we welcomed our 5 new members. We were visited by Doug Marsh, University Architect. He handed out maps of the upcoming construction projects with start and completion dates (see image and I will hang one up on the bulletin board outside of Stacks).

I will briefly go over some of the more interesting projects. Starting  with the wind tunnel, funds were received by the Air Force for this building, thanks to our notable Aeronautical Engineering Program. Cedar Grove Cemetery, phase 1 is for 2 mausoleums to house cremation remains for Alumni that would like to be laid to rest at ND, due to prior space restrictions that was not possible, completion is set for June in time for alumni weekend (not that we expect any one to pass on that weekend but it is so they can showcase and the project). We have received news of the new residence hall, Duncan. This will be the first new dorm in 10 yrs. It will house 232 men, and will look similar to Alumni and Dillon halls. Law school expansion, where the post office used to be . It will be 85,000 sq. feet and include a commons area and a chapel. The tree planting  project was a $300,000. gift to have trees planted mainly in the south quad. These will replace the Elm trees that were lost to disease some time back. A version of the Elm (disease free species) Maple and Oaks will be planted. Doug Marsh told us that the family that donated the money because his father grew up out in the plains where there were no trees so his mission is to plant as many trees as possible for people to enjoy. The Commons by DeBartalo will have the look of a garden patio. Parking lot restoration and Eddy street connection is hard to describe,but I will do my best. The connection will be a 2 lane curbed street that will connect from the existing Eddy Street, go through what is now the parking lot south of the JACC, then continue on to connect with Holy Cross Drive (behind the Joyce). The road will also connect with Notre Dame Ave to the west and come by De Bartalo to complete the loop around campus. The restoration will be repaving of the JACC south lot, they will do the lot in sections so as not to displace the cars parking in that lot. On a positive note the putting in of the street and the closing of Junipers will give that lot 100 more parking spaces. I know we don't park there on a daily basis but it will give  more spaces for the events held at the JACC (baton twirlers in the summer, etc.)

A couple of questions were asked, one is, if and when 23 widens will Twyckenham be opened up by the Soccer Zone? The answer was that it is a state decision that could be started in 2009. Second question, will Stepan center be torn down? The Stepan has been there since 1960. It does have 400+ student activities held there every year. There have been discussions about tearing it down but there will have to be a replacement building designed to take it's place because it is so heavily used. I brought up the problem of the handicap ramps and sidewalks not being cleared when it snows. We are to call landscaping Bill Thistlethwaite @ 1-6537 or Risk Management @ 1-5037. I will try to keep up on this situation but if you encounter and problems you call the numbers above or please let me know. Hopefully we are done with the snow for and we won't have to worry about it for a while.

Next month we will be visited by John Affleck-Graves and Bob McQuade. They will be talking about the ND Voice survey that we were asked to complete. I think by now that we have all received the flier for us to attend our department summary (library March 22nd @11:00 am, Leighton Concert Hall in DeBartalo). They would like for everyone to attend, but if for some reason you can not attend that day please feel free to join one of the other groups that are on the schedule. We will all hear the same results since this first one is a campus overview. We will have a opportunity to attend different sessions as they start to break it down into more specific departments, those dates will be announced at a later time.
In May we will be visited by Jessica Brookshire. She is heading up a committee that is looking to find different ways of showing recognition for ND employees. They are looking for suggestions, so if you have any ideas please let me know I would love to be able to take some with me! They don't have to be elaborate ideas just what ever you would like to see done (ie: letters of thanks, recognition dinners, etc) The picnic is still planned for this summer.
One last note. The United Way contribution drive was the best ever.   United Way had some concerns about the Compassion Fund taking away from their donations but it was a win-win for everyone because the United Way received more donations than ever and we now have a nice amount in the Compassion Fund. Thank you to veryone who participated!!
I know this is a long email, thank you for your patience.

If you have any questions or concerns for next month please let me know

Thank you
Joy