A view of Pittsburg State University PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY has a century-long tradition of excellence. Founded in 1903 as the State Manual Training Normal School, the University is today a four-year comprehensive institution serving the State of Kansas, the region and the world. Situated on over 500 acres in southeast Kansas, the University employs 800 faculty and staff who serve a student population of 7,400. Pittsburg State University is a state assisted institution whose primary objective is to offer strong undergraduate and graduate academic programs to the men and women of the four-state region and beyond. The University offers degrees in more than 100 programs in the arts, sciences, business, education, and technology. Pittsburg State University believes that the goal of these degree programs is to enhance the best intellectual, social, and personal development capacities of its students, many of whom are first-generation college students. A 2011 newspaper editorial described Pittsburg State University as an institution on the move. This growing sense of momentum is illustrated by an 11 percent increase in enrollment over the last decade, despite being located in a region of declining population. During that same period, PSU has opened new facilities for student recreation and student health, expanded on-campus housing, constructed a state-of-the-art polymer research center, and is currently building a transformative center for the arts. The university has also been a leader amongst higher education institutions, launching initiatives in sustainability and institutional accountability that have been recognized as national models for such programs. 1
The Jack H. Overman Student Center THE TRADITION of the student union began with the Oxford and Cambridge Unions, founded in the early 1800s. In 1832, Harvard University established a student union, bringing the concept to the United States. Initially, the philosophy of the student union was devoted to debating philosophy, politics, and good manners. President Woodrow Wilson, during his now famous Phi Beta Kappa speech of 1909, commented on the idea of a union, saying, The real intellectual life of a body of undergraduates manifests itself not in the classroom, but in what they do and talk of and set before themselves as their favorite objects between classes and lecture. It was upon this philosophy that the Student Center was built. The Student Center was dedicated on Homecoming Day, October 20, 1951. At a cost of $500,000, the building, which incorporated the old Mine Safety and Geology Building, was designed to be the social center for a University community already larger than many Kansas towns. The Center, built without the use of tax money, was paid for by student fees and contributions from faculty salaries. The original Student Center was expanded in 1963 and 1995, and currently encompasses 93,000 square feet. In 1985, the building was rededicated as the Jack H. Overman Student Center. Jack Overman was born in Girard, Kansas on August 23, 1918. He received his bachelor s degree in 1941 and his master s degree in 1954, both from the Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg, now Pittsburg State University. Overman worked at the College during the 1940-41 academic year as assistant to the dean of men. For the next ten years, he worked in private business in the Pittsburg area. Overman returned to the College in 1951 as the first director of the newly constructed Student Center. 2
As director, he supervised the campus food service, the scheduling of all activities at major campus facilities, campus-wide ticket sales, and the University calendar. He also supervised the University Bookstore until 1982. Overman often served as chairman of the University Homecoming Committee, and was involved in many professional and civic organizations. Overman retired from the University in 1984 after 33 years of service. Jack Overman still resides in Pittsburg and continues to enthusiastically support the University. The goal of the Overman Student Center (OSC) is to provide facilities, programs, services, and amenities that meet the physical, social, educational, cultural, recreational, and intellectual needs of current and future University students and members of the campus community, a goal consistent with the mission of the University. It serves as a key component in co-curricular learning; enhancing classroom experiences to further develop students as engaged, productive citizens by providing opportunities for leadership, self-governance, social responsibility and management. The operation of the OSC is conducted and supervised by professional University staff and reviewed by the Overman Student Center Board of Governors. The Board, consisting of faculty, students, staff and administrators, meets monthly to review operating policies and procedures. The OSC is a self-supporting, auxiliary enterprise. The Student Center s operating funds are derived from student fees, commissions received from both catering and food contract service sales in retail space within the building, and fees generated from space rental. Student fees paid by the general student body are used to support capital debt service, to make major repairs and improvements to facilities and operation, and to support the Student Center s public areas and programming. In addition to Sodexo Food Services, the Student Center is also home to a Commerce Bank branch and Barnes and Noble College Bookstore. The student center is the hub of PSU. It is the place where students gather between classes, grab a bite to eat on their lunch break, attend an organizational meeting, and is home to many exciting events. The expansion of the student center will benefit our campus by providing more services for students and make it a better place where students, staff, and alumni can meet to grow our Pitt State community. LINDSAY ONG, SGA Senator 3
Why is it needed? THE EXISTING Overman Student Center is a three-story building located on the north side of the University Oval. The original Student Center, dedicated in 1951, had additions constructed in 1963 and 1995, and food service area renovations in 2002. The 93,000 square foot facility provides areas for meetings, conferences, seminars, banquets, entertainment venues, and lounges. The 1995 addition provided a substantial upgrade to the building and added approximately 1,500 square feet of space to the Crimson and Gold Ballroom. Unfortunately, it also added to the line of sight issues already faced by users due to pillars, low ceilings, and the unconventional overall shape of the room. And, as enrollment increases, there has also been an increase in the number of events needing larger capacity space. Currently, the Student Center houses the offices of Campus Activities (CAC), Student Activities Council (SAC), Gorillas In Your Midst (Peer Educators), and Student Government Association (SGA). As the staff has grown to accommodate more student programming, the Campus Activities staff has had to split its offices with the professional staff housed on the west side, while the CAC main office, SAC, and SGA are housed on the east side of the building. The OSC currently holds approximately 5,000 meetings and events each year, but the space has been outgrown. Especially at peak times, an additional 500 meetings throughout the year could be hosted if additional space were available. Campus groups have become more flexible Friday afternoon, once underutilized, has become a prime time for campus meetings. 4
The project The project includes three main initiatives: 1. A new addition to the east side of the current building that will increase the area of student dining, accommodate a new student activities complex, and provide additional student lounge space. 2. A larger, column-free ballroom that accommodates large events and that can be subdivided to accommodate three events occurring simultaneously. 3. Expansion of the University Club student lounge area and establishment of a visual and physical connection to student dining above. Additional project goals include: providing additional meeting rooms; improving circulation on the second level; increasing the amount of natural light throughout the building; and making available new, accessible public restrooms. Main Level 5
Second Floor Lower Level Known as the Living Room of the campus, the Student Center serves students, alumni, faculty-staff and community guests in a variety of ways and has done so since 1951. In my own case, I met and courted my future wife in the Student Center. Now, 50 years later, we often look back with many fond memories. While memories are important, so too is the future. It s time for improvements, an update and expansion of this campus centerpiece to better serve its many customers and especially the future generations of students. DR. JAMES AUBUCHON, Class of 63 and Vice President Emeritus 6
The expansion of the Overman Student Center is a great step for PSU. Allowing students greater space to study, relax, and network with others is always a great addition to Pittsburg State. With this expansion, PSU will continue to set itself apart. TAYLOR GRAVETT, SGA President 7
The Opportunity It is estimated that the total cost of this addition to the Overman Student Center at Pittsburg State University will be almost $16 million. The majority of the cost, approximately $14 million, will be funded by student fees as dedicated through a student referendum in March, 2012. A fund-raising campaign is now underway to close that gap and make the total amount of funding needed available. In consideration of a lead, tax-deductible gift, there are opportunities for name recognition within the building. A list of naming opportunities can be found at the back of this booklet. On behalf of the students, faculty, and staff, thank you for consideration of the enclosed information. To learn more about how you can support this effort, please contact: Pittsburg State University Office of University Development 200 Shirk Hall 1701 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762 620-235-4768 Thank you for your consideration. 8