Education News: Top Stories

Completion of Student Center now targeted for February 1
by Patricia Boland

The M.U.M. Review
Maharishi University of Management, Iowa, USA Translate This Article
15 December 2007

If all goes as planned, 1 February will mark the date of a new era in the history of the University. It has been chosen as the most auspicious time to inaugurate the new Argiro Student Center.

As the building nears completion, campus and community members are filled with enthusiasm for the grandeur of its construction. 'Any time we bring visitors to the building, they are very impressed—it really is quite grand,' said David Todt, director of special projects. 'When it's opened it will enrich the lives of students tremendously.'

The impression the building makes results from attention to many levels of detail, from the unseen but palpable effects of sustainability in the design, to the stunning golden marble, golden maple, and chandeliered entry lobby with its vaulted ceilings almost three stories high.

Other features of the Student Center include a state-of-the-art kitchen, a luxurious student lounge, café, and dining halls with flooring made of bamboo and Marmoleum, a nontoxic linoleum made from all-natural materials. Balconies will offer summertime al fresco dining along with panoramic views of campus. Installation of the landscaping infrastructure has already been done in preparation for the garden plantings next spring.

Each level of the building has its own schedule, with the top level almost complete. Mr. Todt described the garden level where the kitchen will be installed by specialist technicians during December as a hotbed of activity with a very precise completion schedule. Seating will be installed in January in the new Yagyavalkya Hall, the 300-seat auditorium.

Another focus in recent months has been aspects of sustainability, including LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Two recent graduates of the Sustainable Living Program, Vincent Bataoel and Julian Potter, have been hired full time to work on this. Mr. Potter is currently doing the energy study for the project.

The University's Development Office has raised a total of $4.6 million toward the $7.3 million structure. Ongoing fundraising activities include the release of a DVD to inspire more donations to achieve the goal of minimum debt on the project. A video on the Argiro Student Center is available online at www.mum.edu/argirocenter.

'What a beautiful vision that we will all be in that building next year and in the new Yagyavalkya Hall. That will be just great,' said University President Bevan Morris. 'We are so grateful to Vincent and Maggie Argiro and all those who have supported construction of this building, the greatest college building built according to the principles of Maharishi Sthapatya Veda(SM) design yet so far in the world.'

Copyright © 2007, Maharishi University of Management

Global Good News comment:

For information about Maharishi's seven-point programme to create a healthy, happy, prosperous society, and a peaceful world, please visit: Global Financial Capital of New York.

Translation software is not perfect; however if you would like to try it, you can translate this page using:

(Google)
(Altavista babelfish)