A new Paul Robeson Cultural Center designed and built by a minority contractor should reflect African heritage and society, students say.

Concerned African-Americans at Penn State asked for a new center in 1988 and suggested the bid for construction be given to a minority contractor.

"You want to promote people who might not have the opportunity to build or coordinate a construction of this type," said Walter Mosley, president of Black Caucus. "It gets them the opportunity that they might not have had if it weren't for the special circumstances in this University.

"We also have a lot of confidence in what our people do and how they do it. More so a stepping stone ... not only for that contractor but for other contractors in the future," Mosley added.

However, Lawrence Young, director of the cultural center, said he is more concerned about the actual design of the new building than who designs it.

The lowest bidder with the capability to complete the project will be hired, Young said, adding that within that structure there will some space for a minority subcontractor.

"I would be more concerned that the architect who designs the center has some sensitivity and awareness of minority culture, that in the design of the building there is a very clear statement of its purpose," Young said. "It is important that because of the function of the facility that the form of facility reflects that culture."

Last year Young worked with Michael Horace, a 1989 University architecture graduate, to design what a new center might look like.

"We talked at length about what would go into the center and it was very well received by the department," Young said.

Horace designed a three-level building containing a basement and two floors.

The architectural draft allows for classrooms, several conference rooms and a multi-purpose room. A large gallery encloses several rooms on one side. The new building would also contain an atrium in the middle of the main floor and a patio.

In the draft, the window coverings contain African art designs to express the identity and purpose of the building, Young said.

The circular structure of the proposed building also symbolizes the culture it represents, Young said.

"The circular building is an African motif and carries forth an African tradition -- the connectedness of all things as a most important symbol. The idea of a round facility as opposed to a square or rectangular facility was apparent to us as very important," Young said.

"I think that part of what we see as part of a national trend is the trend of cultural centers to be an inclusive center which goes back to the circle that is an inclusive phenomenon," he said.

Mosley said he believes it is important to have a minority contractor and an architect who is aware of minority cultures so communication is not hindered.

"If you have one and not the other then sometimes you might have conflicts," he said.