Associated Students UCLA is working to determine whether an interior redesign of Ackerman Student Union would be beneficial for students.
The ASUCLA Board of Directors has budgeted $300,000 to hire outside professionals who will analyze how to better utilize spaces in Ackerman to meet student needs, said Bob Williams, executive director of ASUCLA.
The purpose of the project is to design potential alterations to the student union before deciding whether or not to undertake a construction project, he said.
“The main focus is to create a better student energy in Ackerman,” Williams said. “More lounges and study spaces.”
Official plans have yet to be drawn up, however, said Karleen Giannitrapani, a Graduate Student Association representative to the ASUCLA Board of Directors and a doctoral student of public health.
The funds for this project will be used for hiring designers and architects, as well as drawing up blueprints, Giannitrapani said. UCLA campus architects helped estimate the figure, which she said the board felt was cost-effective given the size of the student union building.
Today, the board will hold a meeting to decide on an architect, Giannitrapani said.
Giannitrapani said the board is trying to be “forward-thinking” with the project and felt that student demand made the project a pressing concern. She cited the lack of practice space in Ackerman, which forces dance groups to rehearse in garages, as evidence of increased student need for changes.
Second-year environmental science student Carmen Ehlinger said that while she doesn’t frequent Ackerman, she thinks that the space inside the building is well-utilized.
“I go there for the ATMs, which are convenient, or Jamba Juice occasionally,” Ehlinger said. “But I’m not sure if I would go there more if it had different things because it already suits my needs.”
Williams cited spaces such as the textbook area and the first floor patio as parts of Ackerman that could be rearranged for more effective student use.
First-year undeclared student Hisa Tome said she thinks Ackerman could use some improvements as a space for studying or hanging out.
“I think it’s not the best place to study. It’s super loud and not that comfortable, and it smells like Panda Express,” Tome said. “I try and avoid sitting in there.”
The design project would lay the groundwork for future projects and will help the board decide if they think those future project could be worthwhile, Williams said.