Native American Cultural Center Project Implementation and Project

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Board of Regents Meeting August 5-6, 2010 Item #26 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Page 2 of 9 activities that support student recruitment and retention, while providing a point of contact for students away from home. The Strategic Planning Council involved 500 members of the university community and external partners in preparing the university Strategic Plan. Currently more than 1,300 Native American students representing 62 tribes from throughout the country are enrolled. The Native American Cultural Center will provide a visible presence and will enhance the university’s ability to attract, retain and graduate Native American students. The Center’s goals directly help achieve two of the seven goals stated in the University’s strategic plan, including Goal 6 “Foster a culture of diversity” and Goal 7 “Become the nation’s leading university serving Native Americans.” The Center will also focus upon the significance of native cultures in the past, present, and future. Through the impact of its presence and programming, and as a coordinating body for activities of interest to students, Native American constituents, and the general community, the Native American Cultural Center will underscore the vital role of cultural diversity and multi-cultural understanding on campus and in the region. The Center will promote a community of students, faculty, visiting scholars and tribal leaders. The building will be available to all student clubs and organizations, and scheduling will be accessible to the NAU community. Additionally, it is planned the building will be available for community events. Project Description and Scope: The project includes offices, a kitchen, an outdoor patio and a central gathering hall for lectures, student presentations, award ceremonies, cultural dances and other events such as student orientation. Additionally, a student lounge and a computer area are in close proximity to the student service staff and peer mentors. A multi-purpose room and a double conference room for academic programs, symposia, and meetings provide interactive space for collaborative projects. Native American art will be featured throughout the new center, as will student curated art exhibits. Native American Student Services will be housed in this facility in keeping with the commitment to provide cultural integration for our Native American population. Development of this project included extensive programming and community outreach efforts with a large cross section of user groups including campus and the community at large. At the request of the donors, a Native American architect was included on the design team to help support the overall programming and design, and provide interpretation of the Native American cultural sensitivities. The total project square footage of new construction is 12,549. The demolition of the counseling facility will remove 7,891 square feet from the university’s square
Board of Regents Meeting August 5-6, 2010 Item #26 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Page 3 of 9 footage. This will result in a net increase of 4,658 square feet in the university’s total. The parking lot adjoining the site will be removed to provide the outdoor spaces that are an integral part of this facility. The site change, facilitated by master planning discussions, focused on accessibility and visibility to all students and the community, as well as its congruence with the campus civic boundaries which include Cline Library, Ardrey Auditorium and the University Union. The new site will allow for better long term integration of the facility and its programs and outreach efforts with the community. Relocation preserves space for future development within the science and math academic core. The previous site has been identified as an ideal site for needed improvements and growth in the sciences/math complex. Over 60% of all incoming students are required to take a science/lab and math class. As enrollments continue to increase the need to address these programs is quickly becoming more critical. This site is the only available site on the north campus core available for an academic building of over 100,000 gsf. The new site also allows for the continued greening of campus, as well as removal of interior roadways and parking lots and continued improvements to the pedestrian spine. Site work required at the proposed location allows utility connections to be brought into current code compliance. New electrical service will come from a switch rather than the adjacent building; water service will have new connections as well. Connection points for steam and chilled water are in close proximity to the building site, but will require extensions from the North Plant. o Site costs will be spent by the University eventually, if not for the NACC then for the next project; o Demolition cost will be incurred for any building replacement; o Existing counseling building has a cost to keep open – building is unattractive and inefficient; and, o Utilities upgrades or extensions are needed for any new work. Additionally, geotechnical reports on the site indicated poor soil in a small portion of the site resulting in some redesign of the project’s foundation and the footings to ensure high quality, durable construction. Additional Project Considerations: This construction project has been designed in accordance with university Design Guidelines, and will be constructed of high quality, durable, maintainable materials and building systems to maximize energy efficiency and minimize operational, repair and replacement costs.
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Native American Cultural Center Project Implementation and Project

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