Resolution 37

A RESOLUTION TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO REQUEST FUNDING FOR A NEW PRICE MUSIC CENTER

Short Title: Price Music Center Legislative Funds Act

Sponsors: Senators Center, Hayes

Secondary Sponsors: Senators Crabtree, Kouba, Stackhouse, Yopp

Signatories: Senator Emeritus Daughtry

Referred to: Public Affairs Committee

Version: Committee Version

First Reading: November 11, 2009 Second Reading: January 13, 2010

WHEREAS, Price Music Center was built in 1972 and is a two-story building with an area of twenty-one thousand five hundred twenty five (21,525) square feet, of which only fourteen thousand (14,000) square feet are usable; and,

WHEREAS, Price Music Center contains three large rehearsal halls, each a building within a building, surrounded by three feet of space, and self-sealing doors; and,

WHEREAS, the mission of music at N.C. State is to provide educational and performance opportunities for student and community participants through a variety of musical experiences and academic courses; and,

WHEREAS, it is their mission to serve as a cultural resource for the university and the greater community through performances and presentations offered by students, student/community groups, and faculty; and,

WHEREAS, Price Music Center currently offers over eighty (80) courses to over one thousand eight hundred students (1,800); and,

WHEREAS, in its current condition, the Price Music Center is unable to fulfill their mission and support the students involved; and,

WHEREAS, A 2008 university study found that to meet growing student need, the music department requires a 425% increase to 59,464 square feet; and,

WHEREAS, it was deemed necessary to include the following amenities in order to benefit the band: a 24-station piano lab, 2 fully-equipped recording studios, the larger attached to the concert hall and a smaller cousin attached to the recital hall, both with storage, 3 large rehearsal rooms designated for chorus, band, and orchestra, 2 smaller rehearsal spaces for chamber music, 1 percussion teaching studio in proximity to percussion storage, 2 music libraries (one for music and CDs with equipment for listening; the other a performing library for scores and parts), 36 practice rooms with baby Grand pianos in 12 rooms and upright pianos in 24, 100 large instrument lockers; 50 medium lockers; and 250 small lockers near practice rooms, storage facility for instruments, percussion, and uniforms adjacent to band rehearsal room; and,

WHEREAS, in order for Mu Beta, Grains of Time, Ladies In Red, Jazz Combo, the band, the orchestra, and chorus to maintain the high level of performance they require separate studios from the faculty studios; and,

WHEREAS, in order for faculty to meet standards put forth by the music department, the study deemed it necessary to include a large conference room for twenty-four (24), faculty/staff workroom attached to front office, 24 ample faculty teaching studios (each with windows and baby grand pianos), and 8 adjunct private teaching studios with upright pianos; and,

WHEREAS, the study also found that it was necessary to include ample front offices (6) with kiosks near auditorium, a concert hall, and recital hall, 10 student assistant cubicles, a marching band practice field, a 10,000 seat outdoor amphitheatre, and a stage attached to building (specifically at the backstage of the largest hall); and,

WHEREAS, in history, academic facilities of North Carolina State University have been funded by the State of North Carolina, rather than from student fees; and,

WHEREAS, North Carolina State University only offers a minor in Music at this time; and,

WHEREAS, the new Price Music Center can lay the foundation for the creation and expansion for curricula in music; and,

WHEREAS, many peer institutions have much more comprehensive and accommodating music facilities available for students and faculty; and,

WHEREAS, An internal study from October 2004 conducted by the Facilities Planning and Design Office found repairs and renovations needed to meet ADA and NC Building Code compliance including asbestos abatement, an elevator to the second floor, accessibility upgrades, complete rewiring. An internal study from two year earlier by the same office found "academic classes held in inappropriate and sub-standard rooms for teaching and learning."; and,

WHEREAS, the University of Florida’s music building has 71,661 square feet, more than three times the amount of available space than Price Music Center; and,

WHEREAS, Cornell University recently renovated Lincoln Hall, their music center, in 2000 for nineteen million dollars ($19,000,000) and,

WHEREAS, the University of Maryland has a 318,000 square foot complex housing their music and performing arts departments; now therefore be it,

RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Student Senate formally urges that the North Carolina General Assembly act to properly fund the new Price Music Center and additional areas in the growth and expansion of the humanities and arts; and be it further,

RESOLVED, that the Student Senate suggests that the administration formally advocate for state funding of the new Price Music Center, and be it further,

RESOLVED, that this resolution shall become effective upon enrollment.