Student Union racking up costs
By Melissa Dixon and Matt Coleman
CONTRIBUTING WRITER AND ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
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Robert K. Pietrzyk 
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Ground has yet to be broken on the University of North Florida's new Student Union, but the project has already exceeded the original estimated cost of construction.
Zak Ovadia, director of facility planning, who also oversees the building's construction, said recent estimates of approximately $37 million, place the student union about $2 million over the proposed budget. The $37 million estimate does not include non-construction costs, he said.
Shari Shuman, vice-president of administration and finance, said that estimates of overall costs are around $45-46 million.
"It is over the amount we had estimated, but we are in the cost estimation period and we will make changes," she said.
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Glover pushes for education
By Laurel Wright
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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Joao Bicalho
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Former Jacksonville Sheriff Nat Glover has been working as a special adviser to the president at the University of North Florida since November 2006.
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Jacksonville's former sheriff, Nathaniel "Nat" Glover, has been reaching out to Duval County students as University of North Florida's special advisor to the president.
Glover, who began his work with UNF in November, said he has been working to motivate, inspire and encourage young students to think about higher education.
"For so many years we've been focusing on just finishing high school and only a select few think about going to college, I would like to see more kids go to college," Glover said.
Glover is the envoy for higher education into the community, especially the minority population, said UNF President John Delaney, "the goal is to make sure the student body is reflective of
the community."
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Campus sanctuary in works
By Matt Coleman
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
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Media Relations
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President John Delaney is proposing a new sanctuary building to be constructed on campus within the next three to five years.
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The administration at the University of North Florida is in the preliminary stages of bringing a multi-purpose building that will house lectures and religious services to campus.
The building, which was proposed by President Delaney, is estimated to break ground in three to five years. The structure has been referred to as a sanctuary by the university administration, and it will be the site of various events such as concerts and weddings. A definite price range has yet to be determined, but Dr. Pierre Allaire, the vice president of institutional advancement, estimated the construction would cost $4 million to $6 million dollars.
"We're in the preliminary stages of the project," Allaire said. "The location and design haven't been determined. For now, we're really exploring the conceptual side of a facility like this."
A request for proposal for the building has been released by facilities planning and various construction companies will bid on the project. Allaire said selection of a company will be based on the design work they submit, which will include estimates of the structure's maximum capacity, and other various layout considerations.
Allaire said the sanctuary will be a versatile addition to campus, able to hold a wide range of different activities for a myriad of groups.
"We've spoken about including storage closets to house various items," Allaire said. "Whether the building is being used for lectures or for religious services, space will be provided for equipment."
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