Repository: UIHistories Project: Dedication - Public Affairs Center (UIS) (Dedication) [PAGE 3]

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Public Affairs Center History

Sangamon State University was created in 1969 with a dual mission in Illinois higher education. SSU was to provide upper division and graduate study articulated with the expanding community college system of Illinois. Secondly, the University was to be the "public affairs university of Illinois," providing a forum for the study of social, technological and environmental problems of our times. The planners of SSU hoped that the University would become a merger of town and gown, encouraging academic and community interaction to provide quality education and training for public service. Ten years later, that hope has been realized. The University's many programs, public affairs centers and students and alumni can attest to the valuable and unique educational environment that has resulted from the academic and community merger. It has made SSU a true "community of learning.| Perhaps the most visible monument to this educational ideal is the newly completed Public Affairs Center, the first of its kind in Illinois. The concept of a Public Affairs Center at SSU began in 1970. George E. Hatmaker, president of Franklin Life Insurance Company and a community leader in the founding of Sangamon State, and SSU's first president, Robert C. Spencer, initiated discussions on the role of theatre and the performing arts at SSU. Out of their discussions emerged a framework of cooperation between the University and the Springfield Metropolitan Exposition Auditorium Authority, to ensure that the Public Affairs Center would be both community and academically oriented. These early discussions, occurring even before classes began, led the University in August, 1970, to request planning funds for the 1971-1972 year to develop a "Public Affairs and Conference Center." The Center was envisioned as a focal point for public affairs activities with facilitie for seminars, debates, receptions, mock legislative sessions and simple theatrical performances, combined with a 1,200 seat auditorium to bring performing arts programming to the University and community* Planning funds were released in the spring of 1972 and Ferry & Henderson, Architects, lnc„ a Springfield firm, were designated official architects for the center. For the next several years the University and the architects worked with the Board of Regents, the Board of Higher Education, the Capital Development Board and a special Governor's Interagency Task Force on the plans and design of the center. A recurring problem was cost. Construction of the center came during one of the worst inflationary periods of the American economy. The time frames between estimates, budget requests and the release of funds were often inadequate to meet rapidly rising costs in the construction industry. The center underwent many periods of redesign and study in an effort to cut expenses yet maintain the functional integrity. In January, 1974, the governor released the first funds for construction — $8,483,400. To speed completion of the building, fast tracking was adopted. Under this process, the building was divided into Phase I and Phase H, with Phase II further divided into Stages A and B. Phase I would cover the "V-Wmg" — the classroom and office component of the building. Phase II, Stage A, would be the auditorium portion; Stage B would cover the mechanical systems (heat ing, cooling, electrical) for the entire building. Construction of Phase I began in September, 1974, and was completed in September, 1976. However, this shell would not be usable until completion of Phase II, Stage B. Meanwhile, community concern over the need for an appropriate facility for the performing arts led a citizens' committee to lobby with the state legislature for additional funds to enlarge the auditorium. The governor released an additional $2,725,000 in January, 1975, to enlarge the auditorium to 2,000 seats from the 1,200 originally planned. This changt meant a redesign of Phase 1 to accommodate the additional 1 space needs for seats, exits, corridors, rest roofnaand other facilities. InSeptember, 1975. the architects reported the need for an additional $750,000 lor equipment to complete the auditorium's performing arts capacity and provide for the performance needs of | | | | | or symphony. The Springfield Metropolian Exposition Auditorium Authority lobbied on behai of tht Untor