Rather than informing students and faculty of the details concerning the Davies Center expansion plan, a plan for a brand new student center was introduced at Monday’s Chancellor’s Roundtable.

Student Senate President Sarah Schuh and former President Andy Oettinger broke the news of a proposed referendum for the new center that will cost $36 million.

The plan to renovate Davies originally was slated to cost $8.5 million, but the committee in charge of the expansion plans decided that improvements would not be practical.

After consulting with students and building consultants, the committee determined that renovating Davies to the satisfaction of students and building codes would cost $33.7 million, $25.2 million more than approved in the spring 2000 referendum.

“We would still be stuck with the same old building, just expanded,” Schuh said.

Problems with the air handling system and structural damage to the building were some of the reasons that Schuh and Oettinger said a new building should be built.

The money will come from an increase in student segregated fees and will not be affected directly by state budget issues.

Students have the chance to vote on a referendum for a new student center on March 3 to 6, during Student Senate elections.