The UW-Platteville Student Center Advisory Committee is discussing the addition of a student leisure area to the Pioneer Student Center, possibly as early as the spring semester.

After the Prospective Student Services office moves to Ullsvik Hall, the proposed leisure area would occupy the room next to the Alumni Lounge. The room covers approximately 1500 square feet, Andy Rankin, SUFAC representative to SCAC, said.

The idea for the project was first mentioned at the Oct. 9 SCAC meeting, James Ball, adviser for SCAC, said.

“The Chancellor has given us the green light to look at the space with SCAC and the input of the students,” Ball said. “We looked at something like a gaming space as a place to start.”

The group is still in the process of determining what the leisure area will contain and no final decision has been made.

“We want students to come and hang out there, but what do students want to do?” Rankin said. “For the most part, we’re trying to figure out what to do with that space.”

Russell Ruplinger, SCAC chair, said the idea of a gaming room, with items such as computers and an Xbox, was interesting because of the popularity of games such as Halo 3 and World of
Warcraft. SCAC members have also received suggestions of another commuter lounge, pool tables and an expansion of the Pioneer Perk.

“We want it to be a hang-out place, something attractive for people who come into the building,” Jim Mueller, SCAC administrative liaison, said.

If a gaming room is chosen, an independent company would bid to rent out the vacated area in order to set up operations, Rankin said. The rental agreement would be negotiated between the university and the prospective company.

There is no specific deadline for a decision on what will fill the vacant area.

“We would like to have something in there for the first day of classes [Jan. 22, 2008],” Ball said. “It’s beneficial for the students and the university that we have something in place of in progress by that date.”

“If people have ideas and want to share them, work with the SCAC representatives or attend the meetings,” Ball said.

The leisure area will be discussed at the next SCAC meeting on Nov. 5. SCAC meetings are held biweekly at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Pioneer Student Center.