After a term filled with unexpected delays, the new and improved Degrees finally opened its doors last December to a warm reception.

A plethora of changes and uncoordinated modifications to wiring, heating and air systems in University Centre over the past several years made the Degrees project incredibly complex.

Speaking on the causes of the unexpected delays, Heather Laube, president of the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU), said that the scope of the project changed along the way, which lead to the timeline of the project increasing.
Laube explained that additional heating and fresh air systems needed to be added to the existing ones. In addition, some of the existing work in the building was not up to today’s construction standards.

The contractor, J&J Penner, had to address these conditions in order to bring them to modern standards as well as the university’s standards, since the university’s requirements had become stricter. Laube explained that the contractor also encountered scheduled delays due to site shutdowns for noise concerns from other tenants and users of the building.

Coordination from the university and its required approvals along the way also
contributed to delays.

The entire project had a total budget of $800,000 plus GST, which was approved by UMSU Council last spring. Laube said that the administration covered some base building improvements and code requirements, and UMSU expects the final costs to come close to the approved budget.

The project involved the renovation of 4,200 square feet of space, and included major improvements to Degrees’ kitchen and new equipment. The project also included ongoing upgrades to the UMFM space, new equipment for UMFM, a new live recording studio, and the creation of an UMSU Vision production studio space.
The new Degrees offers a significantly expanded kitchen with a full prep area, walk-in fridge and freezer, and new equipment to improve service, enhance productivity and expand menu options.

A dedicated takeout and beverage line has also been developed, and Degrees will be able to expand upon its catering options. Degrees will also be able to provide food options to other UMSU business such as IQ’s and GPA’s.

“The changes have greatly improved the ergonomics of the kitchen, making for much improved working conditions for Degrees staff,” Laube said. She is also confident that Degrees will only get better, as staff work out any issues with the updated equipment and new practices.

The unexpected delays in the opening prevented much of the Degrees staff from being able to work through most of the fall semester.

However, Erin McClure, assistant service manager at Degrees, explained that the majority of the staff were understanding of the delays.

“There were a few that found other jobs, but we still had enough people to fill our positions,” said McClure, explaining that staff had been hired to work when Degrees was originally planned to open for the first day of classes in September 2010.

The staff remained on standby as the unexpected delays kept pushing the opening back.

“We didn’t have anything for the staff to do, because we didn’t have a business to be able to run,” said McClure.

McClure compared the December opening to orientation week in previous years, in terms of busyness, since orientation week is usually the busiest time for Degrees.

McClure said that the staff have had some minor issues adjusting to the new Degrees, such as problems with the gas and access to the equipment, but those issues had been fixed.

“Essentially it’s a new space. The whole kitchen and the equipment is new, so it’s
a learning curve everyone has to overcome,” said McClure.

Stephen Muirhead, a third-year architecture student, said he felt that the cost of the renovation was justifiable, but thought that the delayed opening hurt Degrees.

However, Muirhead said he likes the takeout option the new Degrees offers, because he finds it convenient and time saving.

“Good food, pretty cheap, it’s fast and that’s nice. It’s also the only place open at a decent hour, and the only place you can drink on campus, at this point,” said Muirhead, summing up what he liked about Degrees.