College Hall was originally proposed in a report prepared by Epps and Coordinator of Student Activities Susan T. Cooke as a solution to the space problem. The building would have included student group offices, performance space and common areas for students.

But despite the fact that Epps says he has had a specific place in mind for the building, which he declines to disclose, he says it is clear the University has no plans to buy the site or break ground anytime soon.

"The [space] problem can be dealt with in other ways. I can accept that," he says.

While social space has been a student priority and plays a prominent role in College Hall, Epps says the administration's focus will likely be on finding student group offices and performance space.

The solution will be crafted without Epps, whose impending departure seems to leave no one in University Hall devoted to a single building for student activities.

"With Dean Epps leaving his post as Dean of Students, the support will be undermined somewhat," says Undergraduate Council President Noah Z. Seton '00.

It remains to be seen whether David P. Illingworth, appointed Wednesday to replace Epps in the fall, will be in favor of a new building.

Illingworth says he hopes to tackle the space problem in next year, but is noncommittal on the issue of a student center.

"I don't have an opinion as to whether we should build it, and if we build it if anyone would come," he quips.

With only a month left in his term as dean, Epps says there is little more he can do to advocate for a student center and, in the future, students should bring their ideas to Illingworth and Lewis.

"I think Mr. Lewis will be the one handling this issue," Epps says.

Epps says he has no plans to discuss the issue with his successor, adding that Illingworth needs to form his own opinion.

"I don't expect him to adopt my position on this. He has to be free to strike out in new directions," Epps says.

The Council Concedes

The Undergraduate Council has been loudly calling for a student center for the better part of this year. Much quieter was council members' recent acquiescence that a new building simply is not going to happen.