2008 Woodie Awards
Textbook rental still in planning stages
Rick Kambic/Student Government Reporter
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: News
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The project would be paid with a loan and a proposed $1 per credit hour increase to the Textbook Rental Service fee would produce annual payments toward the loan.
The fee is currently $8.95 per credit hour. Dan Nadler, vice president for Student Affairs, said the additional dollar would be placed in a separate account and he anticipates approximately $300,000 to be generated annually.
The annual payment could be more or less depending on enrollment, Nadler said. The loan's interest rate would be about 5 percent, he continued, and the $1 fee would go away after the loan is paid off.
The facility, which is to be located on Edgar Ave. next to Carman Hall, would have a parking lot with approximately 60 spaces and a shuttle bus stop would be located near the entrance of the parking lot.
The current facility in Pemberton Hall would become either the new office for the Honors College or the Nursing Program, said Steve Shrake, associate director of Facilities Planning and Management.
Carol Miller, director of Textbook Rental, said having a main floor, a basement and an upstairs to the Pemberton location has been problematic to the staff's efficiency.
The proposed 19,000 square foot facility would be completely on ground level with book storage directly in the center of the building.
A geothermal energy system has been included in the planning of the facility. A geothermal system involves several deep holes in the Earth underneath the building, in which heat from the Earth would be utilized instead of solely using electrically powered furnaces, Nadler said.
Shrake said the geothermal system might be removed from the project if the anticipated power plant is built at the same time. The power plant would be built adjacent to the Textbook Rental building on Edgar Ave. and shorter electric lines could be routed to the facility.
The power plant would, therefore, provide free electricity to the structure instead of charging Ameren for electricity or spending money to build the geothermal system, Shrake said.
A grant opportunity is available to cover one-third of the cost difference between using geothermal power and using Ameren electricity, Shrake said. He anticipates the grant would be approximately $40,000 and he intends to apply for it if the project is approved.
Eastern can always withdrawal later on if it's awarded the grant decides not to build the geothermal system.
Members of Student Senate had mixed opinions about the proposal. Senate members Isaac Sandidge and Eric Hiltner said too many questions were unanswerable and voting would not be appropriate.
Student senate member Karen Armor said the university should have already sought out fund raising options before deciding to charge the students for the entire cost.
Nadler said naming the building could generate funds to help pay the loan quicker.
Student Body President Cole Rogers said Textbook Rental is a corner stone of the university and the current facility and operations options do not reflect its reputation.
The resolution was tabled and will be voted on next week. The vote will be a recommendation to the Board of Trustees on behalf of the student body. The board will vote on the increase during the summer.
Rick Kambic can be reached at 581-7942 or at rwkambic@eiu.edu.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Curious
posted 4/10/08 @ 12:39 AM CST
I'm jealous I won't be here for this new building. This presentation was definitely newsworthy, but I am curious as to why there was no mention of the $535,000 of student fees that Student Government approved to be used by themselves, Student Rec Center, University Board and Apportionment Board? Certainly that is important since it is the students money!
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