The construction on the Cesar Chavez Student Center might not be completed by its extended finishing date of March this year, according to university officials.

"The main focus of the project was to repair the roof, because rainwater was leaking through making the space unavailable for students," John Doctor, assistant director of facilities and maintenance, said.

The construction on the student center's north pyramid amphitheater was to be completed in the fall 2009 semester, but other extensive damage to the concrete seats, upper stage, parapet walls and guardrails were found and put a damper on the process.

Although the building is about 80 percent done, leaving only fire protection and interior renovation to be completed, Doctor said he now feels the installation of fire protection could impact the scheduled finishing date of March.

According to Doctor, the project has not interfered with any other construction on campus.
Once the project is completed, the aging waterproof membrane will be have been replaced, and an expanded computer lab will be included beneath the structure. There will also be expanded study areas available to students, an important add-on with the main library still closed due to construction.

For 21-year-old senior Jonaya Brazil, having an extra computer lab and study spaces is a must. There are not enough labs around campus to accommodate students, which causes overcrowding in various areas around campus.

"It's a university. They should be able to provide adequate study areas and computer labs to accommodate those who don't own computers or need emergency printing and Internet," the biology major said.

Other students such as Derek Lee, a junior broadcast and electronic communications arts major, do not have a hard time finding a place to study around campus.

"I usually study with groups, and there are usually a few empty classrooms in the HSS building where we can study," 21-year-old Lee said.

The $1.9 million spent for this project is funded through capital planning, and not from the pockets of students, according to Doctor.

Though the construction is not affecting the budgets of students, Brazil feels that some of the money given to capital planning should be set aside for other academic things such as adding more classes, or repairing and updating all science labs.

"It took me two years to get into an Intro-to-Biology class, and, because it is a prerequisite, I was unable to take any of my major classes," Brazil said.

On the other hand Lee said he is okay with capital planning.

"In order to get more money for the school, we have to divide the money and spend some on infrastructure," Lee said.