Faculty members will have a new place to mingle and get a beer after work this winter.
Renovations to the house at 1923 Las Lomas Road began mid-August for a faculty club.
Roger Lujan, director of facility planning, said $131,000 was allocated for the project that is slated for completion during winter break.
Susan McKinsey, UNM spokeswoman, said President Louis Caldera considers the budget a starting point.
She said he called it "buying a house," because there are many options, but only certain renovations can be made this year.
Beverly Burris, former Faculty Senate president who spearheaded the project, said senate members are trying to figure out which renovations are priorities.
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Burris said the highest priority is to get the faculty club furnished and renovated, hopefully within the next two months.
Burris said her vision for the club is to give faculty an opportunity to have contact with other departments.
"It serves a social function," she said. "It's a pleasant place to relax and get to know colleagues. It's an important aspect of University life."
Alok Bohara, an economics professor who was at the University when there was a faculty club on campus in the '80s, said it gave faculty a sense of campus community.
"Right now we don't have any," he said.
Burris said the old faculty club closed because of financial problems around 1989.
She said the new faculty club will have couches, dining tables, an outdoor patio, food, magazines and newspapers. The building will also have wireless Internet access.
Breakfast and lunch will be available, and Burris said the senate is working on obtaining a liquor license.
"It will be a nice homey space," Burris said.
Some flexibility will be built in the design so things may be changed depending on what the faculty wants, she said.
The club will be open to all faculty members. Students will not be allowed into the club.
Joe Stewart, a political science professor, said the premise is good, but its success depends on whether they can make the club attractive.
Bohara said off-campus places such as Kelly's Brewery and O'Neill's Pub appeal less to faculty because of the distance.
"If you have something here on campus, it's good for attracting people," he said.
