Space earmarked for grad students
Emmanuel and St. Chad to be renovated

November 14, 2008

Mark Ferguson

One of the most beautiful, unoccupied spaces on campus was earmarked as the future home of the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) two years ago and still sits unoccupied. But thanks to a more modest financial proposal, the GSA could occupy the old College of Emmanuel and St. Chad building very soon.

“We’d like to take possession in the spring,” said Janice Victor, president of the GSA. “But we’ve also been told it won’t cost more than we’ve budgeted for. It’s an ideal we’ll aspire to.”

Victor has been waiting patiently for the go-ahead from the Provost’s Committee on Integrated Planning (PCIP) so the estimated $300,000 renovations can begin on Emmanuel and St. Chad.

The college building and St. Chad chapel, completed in 1966, along with the 90-year-old neighbouring Rugby Chapel, were purchased by the university in the fall of 2006 for $1.1 million. The historic buildings on College Drive were vacated by the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad in 2005 when they joined the Saskatoon Theological Union.

According to Trevor Robertson, manager of space management and planning in the Facilities Management Division, renovations to the 800 sq. m college building and St. Chad Chapel will include an open commons area for the GSA lounge. New washrooms, wheelchair lifts and offices are also part of the plan to move the GSA from their current, much smaller home in the Memorial Union Building (MUB). The new GSA lounge will be about four times larger than their current one.

“I would like to see this become an intellectual space for grad students on campus,” said Victor. “Practically speaking, this could increase the profile of the GSA and improve our communications with students by being a hub where activities can take place.”

Victor described the potential for the new space, like hosting social functions, presentations, special events, and a more general area for graduate students to socialize and communicate with one another.

“Having an oriented space for special events is the most exciting part,” she said.

During a presentation to University Council last year, Victor stressed the importance of a new, prominent space for the GSA. Following the meeting, one faculty member (who wishes to remain anonymous), handed Victor a cheque toward the cause. The donor wanted to thank Victor and all graduate students for the support they provide faculty.