Imagine coming out of a movie theater in the Memorial Union and heading over to the Student Recreation Complex to do a five-mile run on the indoor track.
Or imagine hanging out in new lounges after stopping by the MU bookstore.
Now imagine paying $181 per semester in student fees to help the school afford it all.
These are the developments the "Get Out the Vote" campaign envisions for the ASU students of 2006.
Students could be asked to vote on the issue in a referendum in early December.
Philosophy and history senior and committee co-chair John Sullivan encouraged students to get involved.
"This is unique in that students can make a difference in what they're paying for," he said. "We don't get a say in tuition raises. This is one of a few issues we can vote on."
In a presentation Wednesday, the results from a September survey were revealed to about 20 students.
The survey, which received 3,466 student responses, focused on possible expansions to the MU and SRC.
In the survey, 29 percent of students said they visit the MU five or more times a week. After the renovations, the projected number of students visiting that often would increase to 44 percent.
The survey offered many cost plans for the MU and SRC expansions, ranging from zero to $195 per semester. The most students, at 29 percent, chose the $195 option. Of those unsupportive of any of the options, 35 percent said it was because they can't afford the fee.
Another of the suggested fee options was $155. That fee plus the current $25 SRC fee and the $1 Arizona Students Association fee currently in effect would equal a $181 fee per semester.
With a $181 semester fee, many elements could be added to the SRC, including an indoor track, expanded locker rooms, expanded weight and fitness rooms, two multipurpose rooms and a two-court gymnasium.
The fee also could help pay for a satellite recreation facility. The facility would include a climbing wall, lounge, juice bar, weight and fitness equipment and four multipurpose rooms.
The fee amount and ideas for expansion were based on results from the survey. Recommendations from the results will be forwarded to student government tonight, the committee said.
These improvements are still under consideration, members of the committee said. If and when the students pass the referendum, student government will hold several town hall meetings to get student input. The buildings would not be designed until significant student opinion has been heard.
Brailsford and Dunlavey, a facility planning company from Washington, D.C, performed the study. The company has performed feasibility studies for student unions at University of Virginia, University of Vermont and University of California - San Diego.
Erik Thompson, a project associate for Brailsford and Dunlavey, said the project will cost about $140 to $150 million, if the students act quickly.
If the referendum gets pushed to spring 2004, interest rates could rise, meaning the total cost of the two buildings would increase. However, the student fee would remain the same, co-chair Erin Mote said.
Reach the reporter at lindsay.butler@asu.edu.
