Students should have first priority to a building originally donated to them.
Koehler Cultural Center, a building deeded to this college for student use, is now district office space.
Institutional advancement staff will move out of district headquarters at Killen Center and into Koehler. The center also will be used to host district fundraising events.
Otto and Marcia Koehler originally deeded the building to the San Antonio Union Junior College District, according to www.alamo.edu/sac/koehler/.
The center’s official site stated the Alamo Colleges took over operations and ownership from the San Antonio Art League in 1982.
The site also stated the center’s purpose: “Today the mansion is a focal point for the educational and social life of the community, but perhaps more important, the students of San Antonio, St. Philip’s, Palo Alto and Northwest Vista (and Northeast Lakeview) have access to living history.”
The district owns the center, but the center, clearly designated for student use, has been well-used by this college.
Organizations such as the Student Government Association have used the first floor for events such as a masquerade ball, the writing center presented awards there, and the president has used the space for an annual holiday reception.
Many groups from this college use the space for parties and receptions
All but the basement of the building is restricted to students; students can’t even get a glimpse of the origin of their college mascot, the gnome.
The second floor will contain office space, but will the officials be OK with the loud noises associated with student events? Will students be given first priority to rent the space over district fundraising events?
District’s main office at 201 W. Sheridan already houses most of its employees, so district should leave a gift to the students of this college in the college’s care or learn to share.
