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Show The Daily Utah Chronicle State library expansion bond gains more support library in the state. The book capacity at the Marriott Library is 1.5 million but it currently houses over two million books. The Marriott Library was built in 1968 at a cost of $8.6 million with seating for 2,750 students. In 1968, students had access to 1,179 individual carrels but in 1990, only 675 are available. And in 1968, 1,208 stations at tables could be used by students whereas last year that number dropped to 451. In 1968, the library could accommodate 20 to 23 By Steve Sessions Chronicle Staff Writer The University of Utah is awaiting approval of a $55 million legislative bond, most of which will go towards the Marriott Library for expansion. Paul Rogers, a Utah Board of Regents member from another institution said that this issue is crucial and he remains optimistic. "We are confident that during the upcoming legislature, we will receive the $55 million for our library expansion needs." Last August, the Regents urged lawmakers to approve a proposal to bond $60 million for expanding college libraries. The U.'s Marriott Library could receive as much as $34 million to expand their capacity as a state research facility. The legislature will make a decision during the 1991-9- 2 session on whether or not libraries will receive the bonding. In 1989, a statewide library study was conducted and officials found that Utah needs to spend $58 million at all of its nine colleges and universities to achieve adequate space for books and materials. Last year, U. libraries, which include the law and medical libraries as well as the Marriott, placed approximately 500,000 volumes into a warehouse storage on Guardsman Way due to the lack of existing space, which made the warehouse the fourth largest have to create an initiative to demonstrate, up front, that these needs cannot be prolonged. They need to be addressed now and not in the future, " said Paul Rogers of the Utah Board of Regents. "We percent of the student body. In a report released by Associated Students of the University of Utah, a university library should hold 25 percent of all student body to be effective. The Marriott Library can only accommodate six percent. Part of the space problem is due to the fact that approximately 900 new, full-tim- e equivalent students, or 1,200 actual students, were admitted to the U. for the 1991-9- 2 academic year. According to representatives from universities around the state, all libraries are in need of immediate help. Among the libraries seeking assistance from the legislature through the bond proposal are Utah State University for $10 million, Dixie College for $1.6 million, College of Eastern Utah for $9 million, Southern Utah University for $9.8 million, Snow College for 1.7 million, and Weber State University for $1.5 million. University of Utah president Arthur Smith expressed his concern and explained that the Marriott Library has to respond to the needs of its clientele whether it is the students, faculty or the community. "They rely on us as the major research library in the state." According to Smith, if the bonding is approved the money will go towards adding an additional 200,000 square feet for bookshelves, and add user space and expansion space. Smith said that within seven years the library will have in excess of three million volumes. "We can't get by and operate colleges without it," Smith added. Rogers said that he is "convinced the U.'s new president can handle himself well on this issue." Since 1987 the library has lost 30 percent of its purchasing power. U. officials claim that if the space isn't built within the next few years the cost won't be $34 million but rather $40 or 50 million. "This is an essential and critical construction," Rogers said. "We need to create an initiative to demonstrate, up front, that these needs cannot be prolonged. They need to be addressed now and not in the future," Rogers explained. Gubernational candidates discuss Pamphlet emphasizes higher education priorities, issues education benefits to civic and state leaders supported tuition increases as a way of improving the quality of By Brad Carter Chronic e Staff Writer educational opportunities and resources. Democrat Stewart Hanson said, "The cost of higher education is Utah gubernatorial candidates met at the University of Utah Thursday relatively inexpensive in Utah." He and several of the candidates said to discuss possible solutions to problems faced by state higher tax money allocated for higher education is being wasted due to education institutions. Vice President for University Relations Ted Capener moderated the event. The first question asked and an issue that repeatedly surfaced during the discussion was whether high dropout rates. Republican Richard Eyre said teaching and resources suffer as a result of relatively easy admission policies and reliance on state tuition and admission standards subsidies for education. "Students are being admitted who are not prepared for college because they don't have to be," he said. should be increased to help alleviate continuing budget restraints at state schools. Several of the candidates Some of candidates the Teed off. emphasized the need to maintain access to higher education for anyone who wants to attend. "We need to continue to provide open access and I favor the expansion of the community college system as a means of achieving that," said Republican Mike Stewart. Other candidates also supported By Tonia Gruschin Chronicle Staff Writer Utah Commissioner of Higher Education, Wm. Rolfe Kerr, greater utilization of state introduced a publication even liberal projections and community colleges as a means of designed to educate civic faculty salaries at 9 to 28 percent reducing operating costs, enrollment organizations and legislators below the national average, and pressure and overcrowding at state about the nature and value of the $60 million library bond as universities. education, during the major concerns. Hanson stated that only about 18 higher After the Nov. 8 Regents Utah Higher Education Assembly percent of Utah jobs require a college Thursday. meeting, a specific budget degree and he and Republican Dixie The Assembly was produced in recommendation will be inserted Minson emphasized the importance for with the Council for into the publication of technical and vocational training conjunction the Advancement and Support of legislators to gain a complete see "assembly" on page two Education to give educational sense of what the needs in higher decision makers the opportunity to exchange ideas. Those attending included members of the Utah Board of Regents, institutional presidents and trustees, key administrators, . . faculty and legislators. "We have to try to help the public understand our mission. How we can impact the economy. This is critical to the success of an institution," Ray Haeckel, University of Utah director of government relations, said. Entitled, Utah's Higher Education: An Investment In 7V - r a h. i A. fat i ' . education are. The booklet outlines the contributions of higher education to the community in both statistical and human terms. "What we often miss is that the real measure of higher education is in the lives that are touched by our efforts. This publication is an attempt to portray the human side of higher education that flows from the statistics, " said Commissioner Kerr Personal profiles are utilized to give examples of people whose see "education" on page two Inside K i People, the booklet was produced by the Utah System of Higher Education in an effort by public education leaders to make legislators aware of how funding priorities ought to be set. Kerr noted enrollment increases above (() 1 ' Chronicle columnist Scott Warnick pleads with Utahns to stop the terrible gerrymandering beast which currently terrorizes Utah's second Congressional district. 4 )St kt J ft k i .if (A tv - Three Alpha Chi Omega sorority sisters! Tiff Wood, Alexa Pcvoti, and Jen Smith tee off for a game of frisbee golf to benefit Easter Seals during philanthropy week sponsored by their soroity house. Behind them looms the ever ominous KJQ milk beast see page 4 The sighting of Elvis near campus causes an uproar for one Elvis fan and inspires him to believe that the King lives and shall ever be immortal. see page 8 Utah takes on Colorado State in Saturday's football matchup. The winner of this one may ultimately play in a bowl game. see page 10 Org. U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 1529 Salt Lake City, UT Non-Prof- lt |
