LaFortune revisions, new center unlikely
By JASON McFARLEY
News Writer
While the results of last fall's Student Senate survey on the LaFortune Student Center may not be followed to the letter when the University considers the addition of campus social space, the student input should prove valuable nevertheless, according to Father Randy Rentner, assistant vice president of Student Affairs.
"[Student Affairs] is always evaluating how things are working, seeing what needs to be changed or fixed," Rentner said. "The survey results won't dictate [University] policy but should give us an idea of how LaFortune is used by students."
Rentner said his office can not and will not act on the issue until he receives an official report from the student senate. Currently the senate remains the only body to be officially presented with the survey results.
"[The student senate] has been in the process of evaluating the results of the survey in order to prepare a recommendation to the Office of Student Affairs regarding student opinion of LaFortune and other social spaces on campus," said 1999-2000 Student Union secretary Luciana Reali, who chaired the Senate subcommittee on Centralized Social Space.
Although no official report has been drafted yet, initial survey results indicate that students are displeased with University social space facilities for a number of reasons.
The online survey generated 1,136 responses from Notre Dame undergraduates last fall. Of those respondents, 1,018 said they would not consider LaFortune to be an adequate entertainment venue. 1,058 said that it would be beneficial to have 24-hour student center access.
LaFortune is most commonly used by students for eating, computing, studying and socializing with friends, according to Reali.
"One matter I hope that the survey addresses is what kinds of things students want. What specific things are they looking for?" Renter said.
According to Reali, students rated LaFortune very poorly on entertainment and recreation. Suggested remedies included a movie theater, bowling alley or nightclub.
Rentner said he understands students' concerns.
"Personally, I would like to see more venues on campus for socializing. I don't want students to have to go off campus to have a good time," he said.
Although Rentner recognizes a need for social facilities, he doesn't foresee renovations to LaFortune or the construction of a new student center in the near future.
"Renovations and [constructing] new buildings takes a long time to bring about," Rentner said.
"Even if [constructing a new building] was something Student Affairs wanted to pursue, we would be just one office standing in line for a building request," Rentner said. "And there are a lot ahead of us."
All News Stories for Tuesday, April 18, 2000
