Hotel hopes
The development of a Holiday Inn on campus is going well.
Many of the university's concerns about the hotel - about its ability to provide ample opportunities for students - have been quelled though negotiations.
The development now awaits University President Michael Rao's signature. He should sign it.
The hotel, proposed for creation on the Center for Applied Research and Technology, may include up to 24 internships for students, depending on CMU's ability to provide well-suited students. If the actual figure is near this proposal, then this is an ample offering.
Though the specifics of the positions have yet to be revealed, this will create for students a number of valuable opportunities. The internships should spread across a number of fields and difficulties. Assuming Rao has established this, the bulk of negotiations have been successful.
The Holiday Inn will be more than a spot for visitors; it will be a practical arena for students to put their skills to use. This meets the academic demands of the CART property.
Officials also have indicated the hotel is planned to include a staff that is roughly 50 percent students. This is a good thing: Even if students are not working as interns, the Holiday Inn should provide jobs to help them finance their educations. The hotel will be a valuable economic boon for students' pocketbooks, and would provide an option for those now unable to find a job around Mount Pleasant.
There may still be some technicalities to be ironed out, but university and hotel officials should work closely to ensure the plan is ready for Rao's signature within the month.
The bulk of the proposal - its economic and educational offerings to the campus community - is strong, and this is most important. We hope development begins in spring as is expected; the sooner this resource is available on campus, the better.
Though Alpine Holdings LLC has postponed its plans to develop a nearby office building, university officials also should push for similar requirements on that building: Job and internship options for students should be made available.
A strong connection with the Holiday Inn can set a course in the right direction. As the Holiday Inn establishes itself and the office building is planned, university officials and developers can continue seeking academic tie-ins as are possible.
For now, the proposed Holiday Inn lease looks to be the right first step.
