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UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY GATTON STUDENT CENTER ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 Table of Contents 3. Mission Statement 4. Guiding Principals of the Gatton Student Center 5. Introduction from Executive Director, John Herbst 6. Facility and Operations 7. Hospitality 9. Programming 11. Assessment 12. Appendices 12. Appendix A - Gatton Student Center Data 14. Appendix B - Gatton Student Center Programming 18. Appendix C - Gatton Student Center Employees 2 | TABLE OF CONTENTS Mission Statement The Gatton Student Center strives to serve as a “living room” for the campus through providing facilities, services, conveniences, and programs for the University community which enhance their daily lives on campus and afford them the opportunity to learn, know, and understand one another through informal association outside the formal classroom. Building community, celebrating diversity, and engaging all members of the University is vital to our success. The student is central to this mission, as the department serves as a laboratory for teaching students leadership strategies and human relation skills through work experience, involvement in student organizations, and experience in program development through execution. MISSION STATEMENT | 3 Guiding Principals of the Gatton Student Center Academic Environment- The Student Center must support the intentional programming, organic interactions and services for registered student organizations, academic departments and the community. Every space advances the mission, vision, and values of the Student Center as a community builder. Focused on undergraduate and graduate student life, the Student Center will support the needs of the entire campus community through programs and services that support the academic mission of the University. Safe Environment- To provide the highest quality of staff training and facilities that ensure a safe inclusive and sustainable environment. The Student Center will host a vibrant environment that will be accessible to all members of the community seven days a week, including holidays, from early morning to late evening. Service- To provide the maximum attention to our campus community and visitors. This facil- ity will leverage the passion and creativity of the student and professional staff through space utiliza- tion, and technology / programming which enhance the campus community experience. Every visitor should feel the facility and service were prepared for their visit, no matter what time of day or night they arrived. Flexibility- The intentional structure of the transformed facility will afford the opportunity to adapt spaces for planned programming, collaborations and organic relationships. This student centered facility will provide continuous support that compliments the daily life of a student seven days a week from early morning to late evening. Diversity and Inclusivity- To provide the highest quality of programming and leisure activities that enhance the student experience and sense of belonging. Holistic student development, leadership, academic and social progress and inclusivity will start at the Gatton Student Center. This will be an environment where persons of every background and culture are embraced and become part of the fabric of The UK community life. Student Employment Experience- Supported by skilled professionals, the Student Center is a student run facility where students receive first-hand experience in leadership, programming, management, social justice/responsibility, and interpersonal skills. The student employment experience will empower students to have a positive impact on the University and a global society by providing opportunities for student success through staff culture, student development, personal growth and the cultivation of real world skills. Brand- To provide a facility that is open and welcoming to the community and all visitors. Our work will constantly be focused on raising the bar to better serve students, intentionally developing outcome based programs and becoming experts in our area. Collaboration- To develop and execute activities in the Student Center through in-house programming and collaboration with academic departments, student organizations and the community responding to the changing needs of students, other constituents, and evolving institutional priorities. Address the needs of a diverse population by providing a place where student organizations can engage in activities that promote intercultural exchanges and a nurturing environment where commonalities and differences are recognized and celebrated. 4 | GUIDING PRINCIPALS OF THE GATTON STUDENT CENTER Introduction It is with great pleasure the UK Gatton Student Center submits this annual report noting some of the activities and accomplishments of the 2018-2019 fiscal year. It was with great pride that we opened the Gatton Student Center after being decommissioned for three years. Champions Kitchen Dining Area opened in January of 2018. The central spaces including the UK Bookstore and Café, the large atrium and social staircase opened during finals week of the 2018 Spring Academic Term, and the final west facing spaces including Alumni Gym, student and staff office spaces, the Worsham Cinema, Senate Chamber and the historic Great Hall opened in mid-June of 2018. On April 30, 2019, the Board of Trustees approved the final “fit-up” renovation of the Harris Ballroom. The money, in the amount of $5,000,000, was accrued in the Student Center Reserve Fund. The construction documents were completed and it is anticipated a pre-bid meeting will be held July 2nd with RFP, bids and construction to follow quickly after that. This will leave only the Blue Box Theater as “shell space” to be completed as soon as funding becomes available. I am most proud of the dedication and professionalism of the staff at the Gatton Student Center. The staff is very seasoned, experienced and unique in their areas of specialization, yet energetic and willing to experiment with new initiatives. Moving back into the Gatton Student Center has been a proud moment for all of us. Due to the staff diligence most areas have functioned like clockwork from receiving area and loading dock, to back of house operations, to set-ups and space functionality, to the nationally recognized quality programs in the Cats Den and Cinema. We have added an Associate Director for Guest Services, Quality Improvement, and Professional Development supervising all student management and student employees also handling tours and hospitality, and advanced to Associate Director Security and Operations which handles secure access as well as emergency preparedness. As we enter the new fiscal year the final Associate Director position was hired for the Activities, Marketing and Data Analysis area. That completes the full senior management team for the Gatton Student Center. Once again our students continue to “raise the bar” for exceptional Cinematic Arts and live entertainment. There are quality events taking place in the Gatton Student Center every night of the week during the regular academic terms. All events are free and open to everyone. We continue to embrace building a community of belonging. We believe in the philosophy that people tend to support those things they have a hand in creating. With the intentional collaboration and the technical skills and agility of the professional and student staff, the Gatton Student Center continues to make memorable presentations of University-wide events. I am pleased to report that the Gatton Student Center received the 2019 ACUI Award for Design Excellence. We have further been nominated for National Awards for Interior Design and Advance Technology for a learning environment. From Commencement Ceremonies in December and May, to a top national ranking in Cinematic Arts, the Gatton Student Center makes an impact on student life at UK. All of this is made possible through the dedicated and caring attitude of an amazing Student Center staff. To each of our staff, both student and professional, I extend a gracious “Thank You.” Each member of this team contributes to make this a wonderful place to be, to live, and to work. This is the final Annual Report I will submit, as my retirement becomes effective on July 4th. It is with great pride and humility that I had the pleasure to serve this Great University for 45 years. I look forward to watching the remarkable future of the Gatton Student Center! Enjoy the report! John H. Herbst Executive Director Emeritus Gatton Student Center INTRODUCTION | 5 Facility and Operations BUDGET OVERVIEW Operating as an auxiliary enterprise, the Gatton Student Center is funded by fees assessed to full and part-time students as well as contract and lease of space payments. Student fees comprise over 75% of the total operating budget. The Student Center is a self-sufficient enterprise. The facility pays its own salaries, benefits, utilities, repairs, maintenance, custodial equipment and supplies, current op- erating expenses, debt service, as well as deferred maintenance and any major or minor renovations or aesthetic improvements through the annual budget. REVENUE GENERATION A vital source of revenue generation for the Student Center stems from leasing agreements and room rental, with space leased to Kaplan Test Prep, the UK Federal Credit Union, PNC Bank and 24- Hour ATMs producing approximately $123,000 of income during the 2018-2019 fiscal year. All external leases of space are handled by Request for Proposal (RFP) procedures through the Purchasing