Student Union construction is progressing on schedule, according to Union officials.Ken Bueche, associate director for operations, said there haven’t been significant delays in construction except for the theater.”It’s probably about 30 days behind the original schedule, which really isn’t bad for a construction job,” Bueche said.The theater is projected to open in time for freshman orientation this summer, and the Tiger Lair food court is expected to open in August as scheduled. The Cotillion Ballroom has been open since mid-January.The north lobby on the second floor of the Union will open soon, and temporary food service will be housed there once the area is cleaned. Bueche said they are waiting for approval from the fire marshal and plan to open grab-and-go food kiosks March 15.Bueche said once more parts of the Union are opened, students might find it difficult to maneuver around construction. He said he plans to put signs up directing people, as well as having at least one person at the information desk at all times to give directions.Shirley Plakidas, Union director, said she has seen a definite decrease in the amount of people visiting the Union. She said on a typical day before construction started the Union received as many as 15,000 visits per day. Now the number typically peaks at 2,500.Aphrah Erwin, elementary education sophomore, said she is content to deal with construction because she knows the newly renovated areas will be worth it. This is her first semester at the University, so she said she is eager to see the lounge areas on the second floor and is most excited about the Tiger Lair.”I live on campus, so it would be nice to have a new cafeteria,” she said.Plakidas said she hopes the Union’s former customers will come back once construction nears completion, as well as many new patrons. But she said attracting them might present a challenge. “We recognize that we’re going to have to do some serious marketing,” Plakidas said.Plakidas said all revenue operations were disrupted by construction and said the barbershop has been seriously affected, partly because of its new, temporary location.Plakidas said while Union officials prepared for loss in revenue, they are experiencing more interruptions in income than they planned for because construction was delayed. Bueche said the newly renovated parts of the Union include space for two retail areas, but officials have not decided what they will be used for. He said the new stores will be announced once negotiations are finished.
 
 
 
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