[Climbing] Save the RCC: An amendment, please read!

[Thomas Gibson]

Hi there,
Tom Gibson here, I have been a part of the planning process for the 
Upper RCC renovations for the past couple of months. In our planning 
the idea of the south-lounge came up but it was made very clear by the 
students on the committee that without a very good replacement space 
there is no way that the south lounge could be taken over. Since then 
there were plans drawn up to show the renovations of the space. These 
plans do not in anyway affect the south lounge, the couch sitting area, 
the pool table and the ping pong table. The only thing that will change 
is that mixed nuts will be leaving the RCC. After seeing the petition I 
was very worried that things had changed so I went down to see Both 
Dough Martin (of Sodexo) and Mike Ford.
What I found out is this:
The plans have NOT changed. The only way that the south-lounge comes 
into play is possibly in the long run. Mike Ford is interested in 
building an addition to the RCC which would take the place of the South 
lounge (Martial arts, etc.) and the south lounge would be turned into a 
community space. The only way that the south lounge would be used is if 
this addition is built.
Personally I think this is great. The south lounge is an awesome space 
but would probably be better used as a community space. We lack a 
student center and this would be a great step towards one, but ONLY if 
there is an addition built to services the current uses of the 
south-lounge. Anyway thats my two cents. Please feel free to call 
me/email me if you have any questions. Oh and I have a copy of the 
plans if you'd like to see them.
I also think that a petition talking about the importance of the south 
lounge would be a very good thing to have, it will show how important 
it is to people
-Tom Gibson
x5093
tgibson at hampshire.edu