The university is relocating many student organizations' office spaces in the HUB-Robeson Center in an effort to create three separate areas, said Stan Latta, director of unions and student activities.
Latta said the three areas will be used for student engagement, fraternity and sorority life and student programming.
"We are making arrangements for the proposed new programming board and the center for student engagement," Latta said. "We are also trying to better locate the offices of fraternity and sorority life next to the four greek councils."
In 2002, the advisory board recommended that five registering organizations and the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon have a five-year period in which they would not have to reapply for office space, Latta said.
"I accepted this recommendation, and for the past four years, these groups did not have to reapply for office space," Latta said.
However, last year, the registering process for student organizations was changed, voiding this agreement, he added.
"We decided to still honor that recommendation, and these organizations did not need to reapply, and they all received office space in the HUB-Robeson Center," Latta said.
There have been discrepancies between the student organizations and the advisory board about whether this agreement is legally binding.
"We do not have contracts with our student organizations," Latta said. "[Undergraduate Student Government] had commented that they
thought they had a contract, but this is a point that we disagree on."
USG President Nick Stathes said he believes that there is a contract, and it should not be up for review until 2007.
"I have been advised that we do have a good case and that it is actionable," Stathes said. "We are going to have to let our lawyers discuss the legal matters."
Stathes said Wednesday that Latta told USG in a letter that the group would have to move out of its office today.
Darryl Watson, Black Caucus vice president, said his organization is also being relocated, and he was told to have all of the group's things packed by today.
"This is ridiculous," Watson said. "We are students, and they gave us two days notice to move out and only three boxes."
Latta said he never asked for these organizations to move out by today.
The organizations that are being relocated were asked to pack up their offices by the end of this semester, and arrangements would be made for their things to be packed and moved for them if they are unable to do it, Latta said.
Ed Rowe, Allies president, said it is inappropriate for the student organizations to be moved from the newer, larger offices into the older, smaller spaces in order for the university's organizations to move in.
"It seems entirely out of line for the university to do this because the student organizations are paying a good portion of the student activities fee, which goes toward paying for the mortgage and renovations for the HUB," Rowe said.
Rowe also said he was concerned that this is occurring so late in the semester and so little information is being provided.
"On the surface, it seems to be just another grab by the university administration to take resources away from the students, and it is also another one of the things that they are doing to students without offering any explanations or opportunities to appeal these decisions," Rowe said.
USG created a petition yesterday for student groups that are concerned about the relocation and did not receive sufficient notice, USG Vice President Pat Daley said.
There will a meeting today at 9:30 a.m. in 106 HUB for any student organization that wants to appeal the decisions of the office space relocation, said Mike Tomaselli, HUB advisory board chairman.
