While the timeline for the construction of a new multicultural center has been pushed back a year, University of Nebraska Foundation officials say private donor prospects are looking good.
During the spring semester, University of Nebraska-Lincoln students and the University of Nebraska Foundation each agreed to pay half of the $8.7 million construction cost of a new multicultural center. The students approved the project as a referendum on last semesters Association of Students of the University of Nebraska ballot.
While student contributions are not expected to kick in until 2009 - when fees will increase by $12 per semester - NU Foundation officials are optimistic about finding enough donors to fund the other half of construction, said Robb Crouch, director of public relations for the University of Nebraska Foundation.
Crouch said the grants committee of the NU Foundation provided $250,000 this year towards the construction of the new multicultural center.
The committee, composed of a group of volunteers active in awarding grants, pledged to contribute a total of $1 million over a four-year period beginning this year, he said.
Crouch said the foundation had also received a second donation of $500,000 from an anonymous Lincoln company. The foundation is hopeful of finding a third donor and is making progress.
"We're well on our way," Crouch said.
But not all is going as planned with the center's planning process.
The original estimate of a fall 2008 opening for the multicultural center has now been moved back to August of 2009, said Kelly Bartling, news manager for the Office of University Communications.
Bartling said a report released by the office of business and finance suggested the later opening date for the center in order to allow enough time for planning and construction.
Bartling said she was hopeful construction wouldn't take the estimated 1 1/2 years, and that time could be saved during the design period, which could take a year.
"The timeline on construction can be compressed," Bartling said. "A lot depends on the weather. Hopefully we can get it built before August of 2009."
Jamar Banks, director of the office for academic support and intercultural services, said ideally construction of the center was scheduled to begin in 2008.
Banks said he's heard a lot of excitement from students about the new multicultural center.
"Students ask, 'How are the plans?'" Banks said. "They say, 'I can't wait till it's done.'"
