With the loss of the Old University Union to construction, Binghamton University’s student groups and clubs have taken a hit in available programming space.

Members of the administration say they understand how important the lost programming space is to students, but believe that the Old Union construction is necessary.

“Critical maintenance to the roof was the main objective,” said Lawrence Roma, associate vice president for facilities management.

According to Roma, the roof needed to be demolished, not just replaced, because of asbestos, and the administration realized that this was a chance to update the building for “the new century, not the 1950s.”

Roma said BU officials are optimistic that the Old Union, when finished, will have more space available for both classes and student group purposes.

“There will be more multi-purpose rooms to double as classrooms in the morning and programming space at night,” said Brian Rose, vice president of Student Affairs.

Both students and the administration have been trying to come up with ideas on where to find the extra space for groups to meet and where activities should be held while the Union is being renovated.

The administration will be placing a triple-sized sheltered bus stop, a gift from the class of 2008, in front of the Old Union sometime around Oct. 1. It will benefit students and staff waiting to catch buses in the increasingly cold weather, as the Tillman Lobby will also be offline.

In order to make up for the loss of the Mandela Room and the Old Union Hall, the Susquehanna Room has been taken offline and devoted completely to programming space. Student Association President Matt Landau, however, does not believe it’s enough.

“Getting the Susquehanna Room gives us a little back, but nothing can replace the Mandela Room or the Old Union Hall,” Landau said. “That’s what will hurt.”

The old Pipe Dream wing, located below the Susquehanna Room, and the old Banner office are also being used for additional programming space.

“The students will be doing some programming in the communities themselves, of course,” Landau added.

Landau said the SA is attempting to alleviate the problem by setting up a fund of $25,000 for student groups, who will be able to petition the Financial Council for money to bring their events off campus. However, the 2008-09 FinCo will not likely be created for another month or so.

Despite all the actions being taken to provide more space, there are some areas of the Old Union that could not be temporarily replaced. Much of the underground, including the bowling and billiards rooms, have gone into storage.

“We will continue to do what we can with the space we have, we can use the dining halls and the East Gym,” Rose said. “We’re working hard to accommodate all events and groups on campus by being more creative in the use of available space.”

While concerns for programming space should be alleviated by the completion of construction on the Old Union, Landau said he still has concerns.

“There won’t be a place to just hang out like there used to be, just like what happened to the New Union,” he said.

But administrators say they disagree.

“It will probably be a wiser use of space. There will be areas of more intimate seating throughout,” said Mike McGoff, acting vice president of administration. “We’ll be excited to cut the ribbons when the construction is done.”