A few years from now, students may not recognize the current South Lawn. The estimated $125 million South Lawn Project will consist of the construction of a new building on the current B-1 parking lot, a renovation of Cocke and Rouss Hall and the destruction of New Cabell Hall followed by the construction of a state-of-the-art complex on that site.
"It is the largest capital construction project the College has undertaken to date," said Joe Grasso, college associate dean of planning and operations.
A committee headed by Grasso and College Dean Edward L. Ayers appointed an official South Lawn Student Task Force on April 24 to aid in the development of the project.
Arts and Sciences Council President Elizabeth Huff and Steven Reinemund, chair of the new student center committee, will co-chair the task force.
Approximately 25 other students also have been selected. Task force members were drawn from diverse elements of the University community, and many members are leaders of various organizations around Grounds. An executive committee also will be formed out of the group.
"Each student has proved themselves to be competent, qualified and enthusiastic," Huff said.
Specific goals already have been outlined for the group.
The task force will offer feedback throughout the design process, communicate the needs of other student groups, help to research pertinent issues and aid in fund-raising efforts, particularly pertaining to parents, in a limited capacity.
"The need was seen for a formal group of students to provide advice as architectural plans evolve over the next year," Reinemund said.
The task force probably will exist in some capacity until the South Lawn Project has been completed, yet the bulk of its work should be done over the next two years, Grasso said.
"The purpose [of the task force] is to keep the student body engaged in this major project," Grasso said. "We want them to support this project in every way possible. We want their full participation."
The Board of Visitors has agreed to fund half of the $125 million needed to complete the project. Ayers and the College Foundation will raise the other half of the funding.
"The building embraces the core of the University," Grasso said. "We expect alumni to embrace this project in a major way."
Grasso anticipates construction of the building on the B-1 parking lot to be completed by June 2005. Cocke Hall renovations should be finished by July 2005, and officials expect the building to replace New Cabell Hall to be done in June 2007.
"The students on the committee are doing this for the good of the University," Huff said. "The current committee won't see the completed South Lawn in their four years here"
Read More
Dean Rucker honored with Z Society’s highest honor, Pale Z Award
By Brendon Bordwine | 13 hours agoThe Society has a storied history of honoring University leaders with the Pale Z.
Students receive free STI testing through U.Va. Health and Wellness
By Jackie Bond | YesterdayThrough funding from Student Council, students are now able to receive free STI testing with SHW which includes tests for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Hepatitis C.
President Ryan signs collective statement condemning Trump administration
By Cecilia Mould | YesterdayWhile the statement claims that signees are willing to enact reforms and cooperate with government supervision, it disagrees with the current administration’s decision to withdraw funding from institutions.
