Post by gatormom on Apr 30, 2008 5:38:53 GMT -5
NIU survey shows razing Cole Hall not an option
April 30, 2008
Naperville Sun
By Nguyen Huy Vu The Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD -- Plans to demolish the building where a gunman killed five Northern Illinois University students are off the table after the university community expressed overwhelming opposition, the school's president said Tuesday.
"One thing that was pretty clear, in 4-to-1 and 3-to-1 margins, is that when it came right down to it, Cole Hall should not be razed," President John G. Peters said.
It also was apparent, however, that the community does not want Cole Hall to continue unaltered as an instructional facility, Peters said.
Officials collected thousands of opinions on Cole Hall's future through e-mail, open forums and meetings. The building has remained empty since Feb. 14, when gunman Steven Kazmierczak burst into a lecture hall and killed five students before turning the gun on himself.
Cole Hall has two auditoriums. The shooting took place in one of them. One option is to renovate both auditoriums for classroom use, officials said. The second is to renovate one auditorium for classroom use while keeping the shooting site for undetermined nonclassroom purposes.
A third option is to renovate both auditoriums for undetermined non-classroom activities, officials said.
All three plans include cosmetic changes to the outside and lobby of the building.
The campus community has until Friday to fill out an online survey to choose their favored option. Peters plans to look at the survey results and review recommendations from campus committees before making a final decision in the summer.
The announcement contrasts Peters initial proposal to tear down Cole Hall, create a memorial and build a new $40 million structure. Gov. Rod Blagojevich endorsed the plan but Peters backed away when the idea proved unpopular with the campus community and legislators.
Cole Hall could reopen by 2010 if the state agrees to pay for the plans this year, Peters said. But that could pose a challenge as the state contends with in a fiscal crisis and no approved capital construction plan. The plan would help pay for NIU's aging infrastructure as well as its needs for Cole Hall.
April 30, 2008
Naperville Sun
By Nguyen Huy Vu The Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD -- Plans to demolish the building where a gunman killed five Northern Illinois University students are off the table after the university community expressed overwhelming opposition, the school's president said Tuesday.
"One thing that was pretty clear, in 4-to-1 and 3-to-1 margins, is that when it came right down to it, Cole Hall should not be razed," President John G. Peters said.
It also was apparent, however, that the community does not want Cole Hall to continue unaltered as an instructional facility, Peters said.
Officials collected thousands of opinions on Cole Hall's future through e-mail, open forums and meetings. The building has remained empty since Feb. 14, when gunman Steven Kazmierczak burst into a lecture hall and killed five students before turning the gun on himself.
Cole Hall has two auditoriums. The shooting took place in one of them. One option is to renovate both auditoriums for classroom use, officials said. The second is to renovate one auditorium for classroom use while keeping the shooting site for undetermined nonclassroom purposes.
A third option is to renovate both auditoriums for undetermined non-classroom activities, officials said.
All three plans include cosmetic changes to the outside and lobby of the building.
The campus community has until Friday to fill out an online survey to choose their favored option. Peters plans to look at the survey results and review recommendations from campus committees before making a final decision in the summer.
The announcement contrasts Peters initial proposal to tear down Cole Hall, create a memorial and build a new $40 million structure. Gov. Rod Blagojevich endorsed the plan but Peters backed away when the idea proved unpopular with the campus community and legislators.
Cole Hall could reopen by 2010 if the state agrees to pay for the plans this year, Peters said. But that could pose a challenge as the state contends with in a fiscal crisis and no approved capital construction plan. The plan would help pay for NIU's aging infrastructure as well as its needs for Cole Hall.
