Students’ Union sets $20 million goal for corporate funding drive

The U of S Students’ Union took the next major step in its march towards a new Student Centre Building when it officially launched its corporate sponsorship campaign for the building on June 21.

USSU Pres. Aaron Dougan held a news conference in Place Riel, along with U of S Pres. Peter MacKinnon and consultant O & Y Enterprise senior vice-president Rod White.

Dougan told the news media the corporate campaign aims to raise $20 million in funding from companies to help pay for the estimated $34.5 million Student Centre addition to the existing Place Riel student building.

Since 1965 U of S students have contributed to a student building fund, and in May, the U of S Board of Governors voted to release a balance of $5.1 million from the Students’ Union Building Trust Fund, along with about $400,000 from another Campus Centre Trust Fund, and $1 million donated by Nova Corp. for Aboriginal Student facilities.

The Board of Governors also voted to support the students’ project with capital and operating costs of $1.35 million annually to occupy part of the expanded building.

Dougan says with these initial funds and the first $14 million raised from the corporate campaign, construction on the new building will begin.

He said the building expansion, to be attached to the south side of Place Riel, will be a "one-stop shop" for students, with new student lounge space, space for clubs and groups, a multi-purpose facility, Aboriginal student space, a Security and Parking kiosk, a multi-faith chapel, and University departments like the Registrar’s Office, Student Affairs and Services, the Student Health Centre and Retention Services.

Existing Place Riel will house new retail outlets such as a pharmacy, dry cleaners, a clothing store and an enlarged food court.

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