With spirits buoyed up by a somewhat positive budget outlook, the University is moving forward with its capital projects, including the upcoming renovation of the Usdan Student Center, which will accommodate a new One-Stop Student Services Center, according to Administration officials.The announcement was made in a memo addressed to the entire community from Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Peter French.

The memo, released last Tuesday, contained plans for construction on a number of projects, including the new Abraham Shapiro Academic Building, an addition to the Heller School, and improvements in infrastructure, in addition to the plans for Usdan.

The memo recorded a positive outlook toward the University budget.

Last Oct., the Board of Trustees approved a budget deficit of $5.6 million.

According to French, changes in the national economy as well as other factors make a balanced budget for the 2004 fiscal year possible.

"Things look better than they did a year ago," French said, "basically because the economy has improved pretty substantially. [We are] now projecting that we're going to be balanced so we don't have to dip into the University's reserves."

With diminished budgetary concerns, the University is moving forward in its capital projects, all of which have been fully funded by donations, according to French.



Post-renovation Usdan to hold most all student services

The Usdan One-Stop Student Center project, being planned in association with the architectural firm Miller Dyer Spears will consist of the "reuse, renovation and upgrade of Usdan Student Center and Kutz Hall," as described in the memo. Members of an advisory committee have discussed their particular hopes for Usdan's renovation. The project has been spearheaded by Jean Eddy, senior vice president for students and enrollment.

Eddy, who has pushed for the creation of such a center at Brandeis since her arrival in July 2000 eagerly anticipates the renovations.

"I always feel as though students have enough to do without having to bounce around the campus...to get things taken care of," Eddy said, noting the hilly nature of Brandeis.

Dan Feldman, associate vice president for planning, design, and construction, has described the project as a "complicated" endeavor.

According to Feldman, a number of changes in the layout and components of the Usdan Student Center will be implemented. Financial Services (including financial aid, student loans and student accounts) will be relocated to the northeast portion of the building, where Residence Life is currently located.

Residence Life will move to the southeast side on the first floor of Usdan, where the International Center for Ethics,

Justice and Public Life currently stands. The Ethics Center will move to the new Abraham Shapiro Academic Building. In addition, the central space that is currently the International Lounge on the second floor of Usdan will become a center of student activities, complete with such amenities as comfortable furniture, computer stations, and an information desk. Feldman foresees this part of the renovation as "the central area that will be the heart of the One-Stop Services Center."

The International Lounge will relocate directly below its current spot, and Eddy added that the Hiatt Career Center will move downstairs.

Feldman said that in terms of this phase of Usdan's renovation, Eddy is in the process of reviewing "the proposed layouts of the main spaces."

Eventually, the One-Stop Center will be the site of other offices, as well, such as Student Academic Services, according to Feldman and Eddy. Regarding the relocation of multiple administrative offices in Usdan, Eddy said, "everything in one place will really cut down on the bureaucracy."

Heller School gets new wing

The memo also described the new addition to the Heller School, made possible by a gift of $15 million from Irving Schneider, that "is expected to add 29,000 square feet to the Heller School," according to the memo.

The process of programming is already underway to decide which programs will exist in each building of the Heller School will be determined, according to Feldman.

The building's design will be planned with the aid of architect Kyu Sung Woo, who also designed the Village residence hall. The building is expected to be complete in fall 2005.



Addition of Abraham Shapiro Academic Building

The new Abraham Shapiro Academic Building will house the International Center for Ethics, Justice, and Public Life, the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, faculty offices, the Mandel Center for Jewish Education, and the Education Program, as well as many high-tech classrooms, a study area and meeting space, according to the memo.

The building will consist of what was formerly known as the American Jewish Historical Society building, as well as a 2,500 square-foot addition.

Feldman said that the university is in the early stages of this infrastructure project and that "we are making sure that we're looking at all the parts together and all the interrelationships and understanding it as a whole."

Brandeis takes out about $25 million in debt every year as a result of failures in infrastructure and repairs, according to Feldman. As a result, a complete updating of the infrastructure system will save much money in the long run that will more than fund the implementation of the new system.

Although all projects are moving along on schedule, French conceded that variables such as the weather, cost increases and unforeseen construction obstacles can all affect their progress.

"Anytime you do a construction project, there are unknowns you may run into," French said.