Bollinger proposes Miller theater

In an effort to demonstrate a commitment to physical campus reminders of the University's rich history, University President Lee Bollinger wants to build an auditorium to honor University alumnus Arthur Miller.

The idea for the 500-seat theater, which Bollinger announced while addressing members of the faculty senate Monday, stems from his desire to honor the distinguished alumnus, as well as a need for another theater, Bollinger said.

"Having a theater that honors and shows our pride in Arthur Miller as an alumnus of the University would be a great addition to the campus," Bollinger said. "We have a terrific theater and dance department, so we already have enough creativity on campus to make use of such a facility."

While Bollinger said he is considering making the new theater part of a cultural center near Hill Auditorium and the Power Center, Bollinger is not limiting the construction to central campus.

"On the other hand, adding to the vitality of North Campus is a possibility as well," Bollinger said.

Music Prof. William Albright said another theater or concert hall would be welcome, but cautioned Bollinger against building it on Central Campus.

"The Central Campus is pretty impacted with things," Albright said. "(During events), it's hard to get around."

Bollinger said the theater is only in the conceptual stage, and he has not yet begun to address how to fund for the project.

"It's just, on my part, an idea," Bollinger said. "It's always possible that people won't like the idea."

But Roy Muir, associate vice president for development, said he is optimistic the University will financially support Bollinger's agenda.

"Almost any project that has the leadership endorsement of the president has a great deal of fundraising potential," Muir said.

Bollinger said he hopes to incorporate the new theater, as well as numerous campus renovations, into his master plan - an administrative effort to bring physical cohesion to the campus.

"We do have the need within the University to repair and refurbish our existing cultural facilities," Bollinger said.

Among the highest priority for repairs is Hill Auditorium, which has been on the docket for renovations since the mammoth fund-raising effort the Campaign for Michigan began nearly 10 years ago.

But the campaign successfully raised just $3 million of the expected $30 million needed to cover the auditorium's deferred maintenance concerns.

"We're not talking about a small amount of money, so that's why it has to be sort of a community effort," Bollinger said.

Bollinger said the Rackham Building is also in need of renovations, which Muir estimated will cost about $18 million.

"That's really just basic repairs on a building that hasn't been touched in 60 years," Muir said.

Bollinger also said he wants to put money into renovating all the campus libraries because they were overlooked by the campaign's fundraising efforts.

"These are our commons," Bollinger said. "They don't fall within the pervue of any particular school, and I think that as a university, we need to pay special attention to them."

University Planner Fred Mayer said advancement in computer technology, as well as normal wear and tear, make the campus libraries good candidates for renovation.

"Any building that has been sitting around and has been used as much as the libraries needs renovation," Mayer said, adding that the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library is in particular dire straits and hasn't been refurbished since the early 1970s.

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