Wednesday, January 24, 2007
By Federico Martinez
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER

Baker College of Muskegon will begin construction of a $3 million off-campus student center building this spring.

The new 14,000-square-foot facility, adjacent to a college-owned townhouse development, will be used to host student social events and house a TV lounge, fitness center, video-gaming area, a snack bar, laundry facilities and meeting rooms, said Baker President Rick Amidon.

"This is the largest building project we've done since we moved here in 1997," said Amidon. "We have to compete for students with Grand Valley State University and other colleges that have good-looking student unions."

Baker will tackle an even bigger project this fall when construction of a new $5 million culinary arts building begins. That facility will be built in downtown Muskegon at the corner of Clay Avenue and Third Street and is expected to be ready for use by fall 2008.

Baker's new student center will be constructed at the southern end of the Baker Townhouses at 919 Marquette, between Oak Hill and Lighton drives. Approximately 525 students live in those townhouse apartments, which are located about one mile west of the main Baker campus at the corner of Quarterline Road and Marquette.

Another 200 students live in on-campus dormitory rooms in the main campus building and at Baker Village Apartments located across the street from the campus along Quarterline.

School officials want the new facility to be open by September when the college is expected to greet its largest freshmen class in history, said Amidon.

Approximately 350 freshmen are enrolled at Baker this year. School officials are predicting that freshmen enrollment will increase to about 400 students for fall 2007.

Residence hall students comprise approximately 15 percent of Baker's total 5,000 student enrollment, according to school enrollment records.

The addition of the new student center is the second phase of Baker's 2004 residence hall expansion plan. The first phase featured the purchase of the 175-unit townhouse complex, including 150,000 square feet of residence space and 29 buildings.

Clifford Buck Construction of Muskegon will oversee the student union project.

Baker will continue to operate its existing student center, which is housed in the main campus building, said Amidon. That facility is used by students during class and lunch breaks and will continue to be used for campus-wide events, such as the recently held Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day program.

According to preliminary construction plans, a game room and fitness facilities currently housed in Starks Hall -- an on-campus dormitory area -- will be relocated to the new student center building.

All residence hall students will be able to use the new student center. A small on-campus grill will likely be built in Starks Hall, so students can grab a bite to eat during non-school hours, said Amidon. Baker currently does not provide dorm meals for students.

Other features at the new student center will include a computer lab, quiet study areas and a learning center that will provide tutors free of charge to Baker students.