The Holmes Student Center space investigation remains at a stand-still, awaiting the formation of a new committee to explore the possibilities of acquiring more space.

Barbara Henley, acting vice president for student affairs, said the new committee will consider the suggestions made last semester by the student center space study committee.

Henley said the new committee will be much smaller than the disbanded space study committee and will hire a space consultant. “The consultant will be doing most of the work,” Henley said.

She said the three proposals made by the space study committee were the construction of a new student life building, an addition to the student center, or the conversion of Gilbert Hall to administrative offices.

However, Henley said neither the committee members nor a consultant have been selected, and none of the three proposals are binding. “No commitments have been made at this time,” Henley said.

Student Association President Huda Scheidelman said the space study committee, which was headed by Jon Dalton, former vice president for student affairs, was ineffective because of its large size and failure to consider unused space in the student center.

“We have a lot of space already which isn’t being used,” Scheidelman said, referring to areas in the student center basement near the University Legal Counsel offices. Scheidelman said another option might be remodeling the Diversions Lounge to better utilize space in that area.

Scheidelman said the SA wants to avoid any new construction because of the extra costs involved, adding that Dalton’s plan for a new student life building would have required an additional $10 student fee charge. “We feel we already have a student life building, and the Holmes Student Center is it,” Scheidelman said.

The SA does not consider the relocation of offices to Gilbert Hall a viable option either, Scheidelman said. “To shove students out of Gilbert in favor of administrative offices would not be serving the students’ best interests,” Scheidelman said.

Although student organizations have not been crunched for space, Scheidelman said other offices, such as NIU’s Career Planning and Placement Center, are having space problems.

Scheidelman said she is in the process of appointing the committee, and it will have its first meeting before the end of the semester.

The committee will not require an outside consultant unless it is forced to consider the construction of a new building, Scheidelman said.