Government of the Student Body members got a preview of the architectural plans for renovating the Memorial Union at Wednesday’s meeting.

Al Oberlander, an architect for RDG Bussard Dikis Architects Interiors & Planning in Des Moines, said plans for the ground floor include a food court and an area designated for student offices.

The renovation includes a two-phase plan. The first phase is the food court which would be open by late February. This area will include name-brand franchises such as Panda Express, Chick-Fil-A, Taco John’s and Subway.

Oberlander said the food court would be enclosed by creating six free-floating walls to help create intimate space. The court would be separated from the Commons by a hallway.

The second phase of the renovation is the construction of student offices. Phase two would begin in May.

Relocating the Browsing Library and the Chapel was not included in the plans. Oberlander said after student input is given, plans will be finalized by December.

He stressed the importance of the Browsing Library and the Chapel, but also discussed how the two would coincide in relation to the rest of the space in the Union. Oberlander said if the Chapel stayed where it is, it would be surrounded by student offices.

Some students have expressed concern that the vision of the Union’s original architect, W.T. Proudfoot, would not be preserved if the Browsing Library and Chapel were moved or removed.

“Yes, these things are important, but with college lives today he would look at this differently today; it has a more appropriate meaning of college life,” Oberlander said.

But Vern Hanssen, a senior in architecture, said the Chapel is a symbol for Christian students.

“The student body has changed over the years, but I think a removal of a chapel and taking out the pews and a cross that’s been sitting there for a number of years is an insult to many Christians,” he said.

David Gradwohl, an ISU anthropology professor, said the Chapel’s stained glass windows represent all religions, not just Christianity.

“This is important in terms of the integrity of the building,” he said. “It does speak to diversity on this campus in terms of a historic perspective.”

Sen. Sandra Frantzen said students are being pushed into deciding the future of the Browsing Library and the Chapel without having all the information. She said students’ only options for the two seem to be based on Oberlander’s plans.

“It’s like a confessional in the middle of McDonald’s; it’s kind of a farce,” she said.

GSB President Dan Mangan said whatever decision is made should take into account a respect for history and the future.

Construction is expected to begin in about 10 days on the Union’s exterior, Oberlander said.