Andrea Johnson/MDN Janel Bortoluzzi, Madison Tiedman, and Felicia Arias are Minot State University Student Association officers.

Minot State University students are pondering ideas for renovating the first and second floors of the Student Center on campus.

Kevin Harmon, vice president of student affairs, said JLG Architects held a “visual listening session” on Thursday to get input from students, faculty and staff about how to transform the space.

The lower level of the Student Center was heavily damaged by a water line break last winter, said Harmon, and the area is currently “kind of a disaster area.”

Officials decided that it might be a good time to renovate both the first and second floors into a more useable space since the lower level of the Student Center already needs to be remodeled.

Harmon described it as “taking a disaster and turning it into an opportunity.”

Harmon said it is too early to give a timeline for when the work on the space might begin or to determine how much it might cost.

Student government officers Janel Bortoluzzi, Felicia Arias, and Madison Tiedman also said it is extremely important that the project reflect the input of the students who will be making use of it.

Some funding for remodeling the space would be available from insurance funding the university received after the lower level flooded, said Harmon, but students would be asked to foot a great share of the bill, probably in the form of increased student fees.

Students will have to vote on any planned fee increase.

Harmon said one proposal would follow a“great room” concept, with a free flowing space with lots of light that offers office space, meeting rooms, and areas for students to study or meet with friends. The space is also used to put on performances or for recreation and other needs.

The Beaver Dam space on the second floor of the Student Center was last remodeled in 2006, said Harmon. That space was formerly the ballroom.

He said the the area needs to be functional for all of the purposes it must serve.

Harmon said JLG Architects will take the input it received on Thursday and return sometime later in the fall with drawings.

Student government officers will continue to be involved.

Bortoluzzi, Arias, and Tiedman said student government officers are also in the process of planning activities and platforms for the coming semester.

One area they want to focus on is raising awareness of drug abuse, alcohol abuse and overall mental health on campus. Student government representatives have discussed the possibility of support groups for different demographics of students, such as graduate students or international students, so they have people to talk with who are in similar circumstances.

The student government officers also said they have an open door policy and want to hear from the students on campus whose interests they represent.