A group of six students suggested extending computer lab hours and adding a coffee shop to the Phase II plans for Gaylord Hall on Wednesday.

The students met in the Edith Kinney Gaylord Library in Gaylord Hall to discuss the additions with Bob Ross, president of the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism and the Inasmuch Foundations, two of the principal donors to the project. Also present were Joe Foote, interim dean, and the original architects of Gaylord Hall, Farooq S. Karim and Lisa Matthews.

At the meeting, Karim delivered a presentation to students outlining the tentative plans for Phase II and said the construction plans are largely based on balance and compromise.

"That's always a challenge, and we have lots of things to accommodate," Karim said.

Gaylord Phase II

o Addition set to include auditorium, computer lab, rooftop terrace and common area

o Plans also include space for student-run public relations agency

o Plans not official until approved by OU President David L. Boren

Source: www.rees-associates.com, www.journalismfoundation.org, www.inasmuchfoundation.org

The projected plans for Phase II include a 180-seat multi-purpose auditorium, a large open computer lab on the second floor, a rooftop terrace on the third floor and a large common area for students to meet, study and socialize. The plans also include a professional space on the second floor with a board room and offices for a student-run public relations agency.

The new building would be an attachment to the current Gaylord Hall on the north side of the building. The estimated cost of the addition is $15 million, and it would span 34,000 square feet.

Karim said the key to the planning of Phase II has been combining it with the current building and keeping it within the same architectural style.

"The building was designed in a very flexible way so as we develop our plans it still works," he said.

Students said the current common area may be too open, and they like the idea of separate group project rooms for studying privately.

"We view these rooms as idea-generation rooms," Karim said. "You should have every capability you need in these rooms."

Students voiced concerns over the need for a photo studio, extended computer lab hours and increased accessibility to technology.

Adam Lotia, broadcast and electronic media senior, said the main convergence lab hours are not conducive to students' late studying and project deadlines.

"It's never open late enough or never open early enough," Lotia said.

Caroline Jewell, broadcast and electronic media senior, said she is jealous she won't be around to use the new building when it is completed but is excited about the new addition.

"I loved everything about it," she said.

The plans for Phase II are tentative and will not be official until they are announced by OU President David L. Boren, Foote said.

Foote said Phase II of the building would not be possible without Boren's and Ross' work.

"They both love OU, they both love the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication and they are two big players that are going to make a difference," Foote said.

Rees Associates Architects, Karim's and Matthews' employer, has been Oklahoma-based for 31 years and has special expertise in the broadcast field through working with several local broadcast stations.

"There's a lot of applicable expertise we're trying to bring to this new project," Karim said.

Ross said both the Inasmuch Foundation and the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation helped fund Phase I of Gaylord Hall with a $2.5 million grant in support of the Gaylord family's commitment to bringing the journalism college from school status to college status.
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