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St. Cloud State University
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Stop wasting money!
By Cathy Kropp
Published:
Monday, November 25, 2002
Cathy Kropp -- Staff Column
Last year, a referendum passed to allot $5.6 million to both renovate and add onto Atwood Memorial Center.
I agree with some of the changes that they are suggesting, such as creating more space for the student and cultural organizations. I can even see the need for an additional conference room and extra storage in the basement.
But I ask you this: what in the world do we need a skyway between Atwood and Centennial Hall for? I would understand if these two buildings were situated across a busy road, as Brown Hall and Math and Science are. I could even rationalize it if they were related to each other in any way (such as one having classes and the other having corresponding labs).� But there is no such situation.
Hey, I have an idea! How about we connect every building on campus with skyways? Then we will never have to step a foot outside and breathe fresh air again!
Even worse is the glass facade that will be constructed at the west entrance of Atwood. The students on the committee discussing this referendum stated that they wanted Atwood to “really be a showpiece.”
Excuse me? Making Atwood more aesthetically pleasing doesn’t further our education. It doesn’t help the students or faculty in any foreseeable way.� I say that if they want to look at something “pretty” then they should go to an art museum.
I am sure I am not the only one with a full class load who also works a part-time job. I am also sure I am not the only one currently looking for a second job to help ease the burden of my currently double-digit loans.
I am sick and tired of my tuition being raised for ridiculous projects that get tacked on to more reasonable requests.
How about we spend our money on things that would benefit the campus as a whole? I say we research some solutions for that pesky parking problem that seems to loom over our campus. We need to stop pushing it to the side and try to think of some viable solutions. How about another lot somewhere that has a shuttle system to campus? Or how about we revisit that parking ramp idea?
Another area we need to work on before we even consider any other projects is the accessibility of our campus. I am perpetually frustrated with the lack of consideration in this area.
Many buildings have a single elevator to serve the entire building. In a building like Atwood this is a nightmare for those with breathing problems that only allow them to walk for short distances without resting.
I believe that if our students truly want to improve the campus we should focus on these problems first. So let’s stop spending our money on frivolous projects and start fixing the areas on campus that really need fixing.
