The Corum Student Union is getting an upgrade this summer.

New furniture, two 52-inch flat screen plasma TV’s, refurbished wood floors and a new stone fireplace are just a few of the renovations.

Jennifer Hartman, office manager of Student Development, said the project was initiated by W. Wilbert Welch, chancellor of CU, and funded by anonymous donors.

“He went in there and saw that this isn’t what the students deserve, and it didn’t look as it should,” Hartman said.

In a written statement, Welch said that he visited the Corum one day and was “appalled by the very poor condition of some of the furniture, especially the upholstered chairs and couches.”

He expressed his concern, but learned that “the cost was regrettably beyond this year’s budget.”

Welch said he spent time praying and seeking guidance from the Lord. He invited long-time friends to lunch and took them on a tour of the Corum. The response he hoped for was positive.

Hartman was in charge of creating a proposal and identifying needed repairs and improvements. She then worked with vendors, considered the different options and got a price for the project.

Hartman said that at first, only the furniture was going to be replaced.

“We knew that what [the students] needed was new furniture, and we took it a step further and said ‘OK, we need new furniture, what else needs to be done,’” Hartman said.

Along with the TVs, wood floors and fireplace, there will be new stools. The tables will be serviced under warranty and inspected, and the pool tables will get new felt and cue sticks. The printer area will be improved by adding shelving, and a kickplate will be placed underneath the sitting area.

 “When we looked at all of these things we wanted to think good stewardship, we want to think long term, we want to think functionality,” Hartman said. “We are looking at some real good upgrades, so that it’ll last a long time.”

Hartman said the old furniture will be upholstered and put in the residence halls, but the old televisons do not have a destination yet.

Paul Baker, executive vice president for advancement, took Hartman’s proposal and presented it to the prospective donors.

“I sat down and met with the donors and went over the proposal that Student Development put together and made the ask,” Baker said.

“The ask” means that he put forth the proposal and asked for funding, which he said is easy because “it’s for the students, and anything relative to the students is an easy ask.”

Baker said that the donors have been friends of CU for many years and have a high respect for Welch.

“Fundraising is about relationships,” Baker said. “So, when Dr. Welch came to them, they just were really touched by that, because they really feel strongly about him.”

Welch said that he was delighted that the anonymous donors decided to give more than he expected.

Baker said that different donors donate different ways, and some do not mind being recognized for their contribution.

“But this particular couple, they just give God all the praise, and that’s the bottom line,” Baker said.

This is the first upgrade for the Corum since it was built, and the revamping will occur during the summer. It will be completed before students return in the fall.

Charis Eklund, a sophomore majoring in psychology, said that she hangs out in the Corum many times during the week.

“I am excited to not have ripped and broken furniture everywhere,” she said.

But some CU students think the money could be used differently and should not be limited to the Corum.

Jordan Cooper, a sophomore majoring in youth ministry and Bible, said that he and friends see the need for new furniture but does not agree with the use of the donation.

“There are other things the money could go toward,” Cooper said.

Latoya Johnson, an undeclared freshman, said that the renovations are good and will bring more people into the Corum, but they should not stop there.

“If they fix the Corum, they might as well fix the dormitories,” she said.