by April Hale
Daily Lobo
A new finishing date for the Student Union Building was announced in a forum Tuesday that allowed frustrated student representatives to express their concerns about construction delays.
The forum, sponsored by the Associated Students of UNM and the Graduate and Professional Student Association, included Vice President of Business and Finance Julie Weaks and SUB Project Manager Don Knox.
"This project is of absolute paramount on campus," Weaks said. "It's the largest and most important."
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The project, which was originally to be completed in August 2002, is now scheduled to open in May - almost a year behind schedule.
Weaks said the contractor for Silver Construction has been given several extensions.
"He's in default of his contract," Weaks said of the contractor.
This project is complex and unfortunately we went with a contractor who is inexperienced with a project of this complexity, Weaks added.
By state law, all public construction projects must hire the lowest bidder, but Weaks said that does not mean the contractor can get away with not fulfilling his obligations.
"If we do decide to declare default, he's done as a contractor in New Mexico," Weaks said. "Winter is coming soon and our students will be in those dog-gone tents again."
Weaks said the University may take legal action, but it cannot legally terminate a contract before the May deadline.
"It absolutely infuriates me to walk over there and not see anybody working," Weaks said.
Representatives from the Southwest Film Center expressed their frustration and urgent need for a completed SUB. The group, which will have an office in the new building, currently screens its films in a classroom.
Matthew Lerma, a theater major, expressed concerns, stating that the center's attendence is dimishing and it can't function without a theatre.
After many frustrated warnings and tense meetings with the construction group, Knox said he thinks the contractor seems to be working a little smarter.
"We're giving him a weekly list of targets to shoot for," Knox said.
The company now works on Saturdays but Weaks said she feels that is not enough.
UNM's Student Activities Association representatives also voiced their opinion about the importance of the building
"The SUB is not just a place to eat, it's the life and blood of the campus," said Ryan Lindquist, coordinator for Student Activities. "I hope this message is relayed to the mainstream adminstrators."
Weaks said she understands students' cause for concern.
"I'm doing everything I can," she said. "I've taken this on as my own personal mission."
Student leaders expressed their appreciation for students' input at the meeting.
"This is important because it gives students an opportunity to come and express their concerns and ask questions," said ASUNM President Jennifer Onuska. "It brings home the point that the SUB is the center of student life on campus."
The contractor was not invited to the forum but both Knox and Weaks assured those attending that he will hear every concern.
Roger Lujan, director of the Department of Facility Planning presented the finished areas of the SUB in a slide show during the forum.
Both Lujan and Weaks agreed that a partial opening is not an option for safety reasons.
"We are dedicated to seeing this project accomplished," Weaks said.
