Students in the Santa Ana-Alvarado Community Association planned to redesign the Alvarado basement this semester.
But the University halted their plans, said Stephanie Kean, a Resident Hall Association representative for the dorm.
The group wanted to paint the walls and buy new furniture for the area, she said.
"Basically, we were told that the project was a no-go," Kean said. "Housing informed us that we would not be allowed to renovate our basement because we might not even have the area next semester. They told us they were looking into moving Agora into the space."
Agora is the crisis center for New Mexico.
Agora spokesman Jeremy Jaramillo said he is not sure where the service will be next semester, but the group will move out of its location at 1716 Las Lomas Road.
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"We currently share a house with the psychology clinic," he said. "We must leave our current location at the UNM Psychology Clinic because they need more space for the clinic's main functions."
Melissa Vargas, a member of UNM's Space Allocation Committee, said there are other locations on campus that could suit Agora.
"Alvarado is just one of the possible locations," she said. "We're really pressed for space on campus, and when it turns into a space issue, we're hard-pressed to find alternate spaces for them."
Vargas said the Alvarado basement was presented as an "under-utilized space" to the committee.
"I didn't know that there were any plans for development of that space," she said.
Jaramillo said Agora is an important organization on campus, as it provides counseling services to the Albuquerque community.
"It's important that we find a location with adequate space," Jaramillo said. "We must also have phone and Internet capabilities. Since we are a 24-hour facility, security is another issue we are concerned about. We don't want our volunteers to have to walk across campus late at night."
The Santa Ana-Alvarado Community Association has collected almost 70 signatures petitioning the relocation, said Blake McAdams, treasurer of the group.
"Alvarado is one of the most affordable living arrangements on campus," he said. "If the Alvarado basement is given to outside sources, it might discourage students from applying to the dorm."
The group is also concerned with security, he said.
"Resident safety should be one of our main priorities," Kean said. "Parents send their kids here knowing that they will be in a safe environment. I'm not saying this is going to completely threaten us, but it's not exactly the safest thing for students."
McAdams said he worries about the repercussions of mixing dorm residents with counseling patients.
"Security is going to have to be increased dramatically because of Agora," he said. "That's part of the reason why they are not right next to a residence hall now."
Dean of Students Randy Boeglin said he supports the Alvarado basement renovations.
"I would be concerned about the mix of populations," he said. "People would be coming in a resident hall association seeking counseling. I would consider if it would be a healthy mix of populations. Resident hall students paid for their space with their room and board, and I hope that they would be given priority."
Walt Miller, associate vice president of Student Life, said the situation will be solved before next semester.
"We are working on the situation," he said. "This is the challenge that we have - space is at a premium at UNM. We have got to solve this for the benefit of the UNM community."
