Approval of UA Museum Expansion, Phase II Concept Plan

At its regularly scheduled meeting on April 1, 2004, the UAF Master Planning Committee approved the following recommendation (MPC 04-02) regarding the proposed Alaska Statehood Gallery in the UA Museum. The recommendation reads:

The MPC accepts as a viable site and concept the Young-Murkowskihistorical display/archives, café and museum collections management as presented to the Committee by Associate Vice President for Facilities, Richard Schointuch, on April 1, 2004. It recommends that the concept be developed further in accordance with standard procedures.

It was also noted that all costs associated with the relocation and subsequent housing of the Young and Murkowski document archives at the Rasmuson Library must be included as part of the private fundraising efforts. However, no motion was made to this affect.

The concept plan represents an innovative approach to the question of where to locate the replica congressional and senatorial offices to maximize visibility while providing tangible benefits to the mission of the university. By including the Museum café (which was in the original expansion plans), as well as collections management space, the university benefits on several fronts. The café will contribute to the improvement of campus and community life, and the subsequent closure of the Arctic Health café will provide additional space for research labs and classrooms in that building. The collections management space provides a much-needed area to store important Museum artifacts. Additionally, the proposed "50 Years of Alaska History" display will be of great interest to residents and visitors alike, while providing educational opportunities for UAF students. Placing the document archives in the Rasmuson Library provides an existing archival environment with proper staff and provides more direct access by relevant academic and research faculty.

University of Alaska Fairbanks
Tanana Valley Campus
PO Box 8040-UAF

Phone: +1 907 474 7920
Fax:    +1 907 474 6725
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