Four months have passed since the ground blessing of the African American Cultural Center and Women’s Center. The former buildings have been demolished and the construction plans are underway.
The centers are temporarily relocated to rooms 319, 323 and 325 in Hatcher Hall while the centers’ new, permanent facilities at the bottom level of the parking garage are constructed.
Niya Blair, coordinator of African American Student Affairs, said the temporary center provides her with more office space.
Blair said she is working on informing students where the new location is and encouraging them to utilize the Center’s services. The Center has used Facebook, e-mail and ambassadors to let students know what’s going on.
“The Center is still here, thriving and providing the same resources and services that were provided at the previous location,” Blair said. “By being across campus, we are able to reach a larger demographic of faculty and students.”
Blair told The Daily Reveille on Feb. 8 there are hopes for national projects with the coming of the new center.
“When we have the new center, we hope to host a national conference for the [Association for Black Cultural Centers],” Blair said.
The original African American Cultural Center was established in 1993 and reflects the concept of the Harambee House, which is “coming together,” according to the African American Cultural Center.
The $1.5 million expansion project is underway and will almost double both centers’ square footage, according to a news release.
The new African American Cultural Center will have a multipurpose room, a conference room, six offices, an open reception and lounge areas, as well as a library and artifacts room, an open outdoor courtyard, a unisex dressing room, a work room and a kitchenette.
The new space is projected to be completed in 2012.
Katrice Albert, vice provost of Equity, Diversity and Community Outreach, told The Daily Reveille on Feb. 8 as the University becomes more modern, updating the centers becomes more necessary.
“Letting go is required,” Albert said. “The time has come for students to experience a better space.”
 
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Contact Claire Caillier at [email protected]