Last year’s proposal for a Student Life Building to alleviate cramped quarters in the Holmes Student Center is still alive, but with a new face.

Last January, an investigation into the available space in the student center was revived by the Student Center Space Committee and the hiring of a consultant who would explore generating more space for student organizations.

But Barbara Henley, vice president for student affairs, said, “There is no (longer a) committee, but there is a work group,” which, she said, will include some members of the Student Association.

As of yet, Henley has not spoken with SA President Robert McCormack. “Hopefully, we’ll get together by the end of the week,” Henley said.

However, she said officials are preparing a progress report on the project.

Expanding space for student organizations might give more room for NIU’s Career Planning and Placement Center, Counseling and Student Development, the Office of University Programming and Activities and the Cooperative Education Program.

But Wendy Reid, Campus Activities Board president, said CAB could use more space as well. CAB works from the student center’s lower level.

“We have really tight quarters right now,” Reid said.

There are about 150 students involved with CAB as well as 20 coordinators and executors who are all using four averaged-sized rooms, she said.

“Hopefully, we’ll be given a bigger space,” Reid said.

However, additional space requires additional funds. Although Henley said she “has no dollar figures right now,” the estimated cost of an additional building, which would be about 45,000 square feet, would cost $3 to $5 million.

In April, the SA opposed student fees going toward the Student Life Building. That move left the extinct Student Center Space Committee searching for funding outlets.

But Henley said former SA President Huda Scheidelman and former vice president Steve Coloia were on the old space committee and the general consensus was that “student fees would be kept as low as possible.”

“We’re not at the point (with the work study group) where we’re discussing where the money is coming from,” Henley said.