Spring Break
Future quake may pose risk to Student Union
Mark Powell
Issue date: 2/14/07 Section: News
The California State University Seismic Review Board is currently evaluating the structural safety of several buildings on San Jose State University's campus, officials said.
Tony Valenzuela, associate vice president for Facilities, Development and Operation, said that the Student Union is one of the buildings that the review board is assessing.
"What the Seismic Review Board is asking San Jose State to do is a reinforcement project," Valenzuela said.
The manner in which the second floor of the Student Union is "tied to the edges of the building" might not be strong enough to hold up, and could detach the floor in the case of certain seismic events, Valenzuela said.
According to Valenzuela, a seismic consultant was hired by SJSU and has been evaluating the details and drawings of the Student Union structure. The consultant will bring forth recommendations for types of retrofitting that could be fit for the building, Valenzuela said.
Valenzuela described SJSU as being "at the tail end" of that consulting process. However, Valenzuela said that the actual construction process wouldn't take place until later this calendar year.
Valenzuela said a major topic will be how SJSU carries out improvements on the Student Union, which was constructed from 1967 to 1969, without having to close parts of it down.
"We have to ask ourselves, 'What is the best way to address this issue and maintain building functionality?'" he said. "We also have to minimize the invasiveness of the construction."
Cecille Almeda, a junior majoring in hospitality management, said that she feels students aren't informed enough about structural issues on campus.
"I kind of feel left out of the loop," Almeda said. "First of all, if they are trying to promote this university, one of the things I'm sure they'd want to promote is safety. I don't feel that they are doing that."
Freshman liberal studies major Jessica Jay said she would still frequent the Student Union even if it is under structural review.
Tony Valenzuela, associate vice president for Facilities, Development and Operation, said that the Student Union is one of the buildings that the review board is assessing.
"What the Seismic Review Board is asking San Jose State to do is a reinforcement project," Valenzuela said.
The manner in which the second floor of the Student Union is "tied to the edges of the building" might not be strong enough to hold up, and could detach the floor in the case of certain seismic events, Valenzuela said.
According to Valenzuela, a seismic consultant was hired by SJSU and has been evaluating the details and drawings of the Student Union structure. The consultant will bring forth recommendations for types of retrofitting that could be fit for the building, Valenzuela said.
Valenzuela described SJSU as being "at the tail end" of that consulting process. However, Valenzuela said that the actual construction process wouldn't take place until later this calendar year.
Valenzuela said a major topic will be how SJSU carries out improvements on the Student Union, which was constructed from 1967 to 1969, without having to close parts of it down.
"We have to ask ourselves, 'What is the best way to address this issue and maintain building functionality?'" he said. "We also have to minimize the invasiveness of the construction."
Cecille Almeda, a junior majoring in hospitality management, said that she feels students aren't informed enough about structural issues on campus.
"I kind of feel left out of the loop," Almeda said. "First of all, if they are trying to promote this university, one of the things I'm sure they'd want to promote is safety. I don't feel that they are doing that."
Freshman liberal studies major Jessica Jay said she would still frequent the Student Union even if it is under structural review.
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