College Council Meeting
May 7th, 2008
Minutes

I. Retail Committee
A. Presentation by Bill Michel
1. Right now in the process of formulating recommendations, would like to get feedback from students
2. Final recommendations will be shared with community as well
3. Initial findings: student perception of retail opportunities largely dependent on where they live – ie, students living around campus mainly stick to 55th and 57th . 55th seems to be a major dividing line. North/South and East/West divide
4. Initial findings: price sensitivity; desire for a basic clothing supplier, late-night or 24-hr food/entertainment, mix of local and national retail
-retail suggestions: Target, 24-hr diner/cafe, thrift store, on-campus convenience store
5. Need to consider space/location limitations; some things just may not be feasible to have in Hyde Park
6. Initial recommendations: more publicity/marketing to spread awareness of existing retail and amenities; a clearer connection between 53-55-57 (bus routes and a walkable corridor); cultivating an independent/alternative character to the neighborhood retail offerings
7. Contact committee members with any thoughts or ideas

B. Discussion / comments
1. Students living in east Hyde Park probably wouldn’t object to a retail center further west, since they have to go that way to campus
2. Changes due to closing of the Shoreland and opening of new dorm?
3. Students with car access tend to just leave Hyde Park completely
4. Also depends on season – people won’t want to walk as far in winter
5. Other ‘satellite dorms’ may be affected once the Shoreland is closed
6. Few people cut through Nichols Park to get to 53rd, due to safety concerns
-would it be feasible to just put a patrol car there and an emergency light?
7. Students will still live in the Shoreland area even after the dorm itself closes
8. Price sensitivity varies widely across individuals
9. Treasure Island is perceived as pretty much the same as the Co-op for prices, though it’s nicer/cleaner
10. A 24-hr place should be within reasonable walking distance – maybe on 55th
11. In regards to national/local mix, bookstores here are a good example: Borders as well as the Seminary Co-op and Powell’s, so all niches are filled
12. The type of store is important in deciding between local vs. national – ie a local coffee shop but national electronics chain
13. Bookstore and Bart-Mart are pretty good for convenience store type needs
14. A movie theater in Hyde Park – not necessarily a megaplex, but something that will show new releases
-administration has been trying to make a deal with movie theaters unsuccessfully for years
-there was once a movie theater, but it wasn’t popular with the neighborhood and eventually shut down
15. What connections are there between retail and security committees?
-they are working independently, but integrated as part of an overall investigation of quality of life
16. Distance is a very limiting factor when walking to/from grocery stores
17. Should keep in mind that there are always students who won’t take advantage of pedestrian culture and prefer to leave Hyde Park for retail

II. SGFC Recommendations
A. Motion to approve: (11-0,0) PASSED

III. Other Business
A. Eve Ewing on the security committee
1. We submitted our report to President Zimmer at the end of last quarter
2. We met with President Zimmer today to discuss the report
-impressed by his willingness to implement changes, and quickly
3. Report and Zimmer’s response will be available by the end of the month
-some measures will be implemented by the end of this year, beginning of next year
B. Jarrod Wolf’s updates
-Jarrod is currently in Springfield lobbying; thinks it will be successful
-Metra discount will probably be implemented in the fall
-CCC meeting next week in the Gleacher Center
-new issue: textbook prices
C. Possible discussion with IHC about gender-neutral housing