Spring Break
Editorial: Taki's "Look Good" Attitude
By: Editorial Board
Issue date: 5/25/07 Section: Ed-Op
Originally published: 5/25/07 at 1:45 AM EST
Last update: 5/25/07 at 1:45 AM EST
Originally published: 5/25/07 at 1:45 AM EST
Last update: 5/25/07 at 1:45 AM EST
We first want to give kudos to President Papadakis for making himself accessible to students via town hall meetings, including the last one of the academic year held May 21.
It was also impressive to see Student Life Dean David Ruth, Senior Vice President Jim Tucker, Provost Stephen Director and SCDC Executive Director Peter Franks all in attendance to answer questions. The administration isn't going to improve student life without understanding students' problems. The best way to do that is to talk to students directly.
However, while listening to the administration answer questions about the future of this University, a disturbing attitude shone through.
Taki announced three upcoming construction projects - a new dorm, a wellness center that would "wrap around" the DAC and a new academic building at 33rd and Chestnut streets. Taki excitedly extolled the many amenities and benefits the University would derive from these new facilities.
Taki explained that the wellness center will have an indoor track, more exercise space and a rock climbing wall. He also mentioned that exercisers will have an excellent view of traffic on Market Street and vice versa.
Wow, another shiny glass building will line Market Street!
The new academic space at 33rd and Chestnut Street will be a "green" building. Taki went on and on about its biofilters and walls of plants that purify the air. At one point the president said that the University was going to give the eco-friendly thing a shot, and at the very least, it will look good.
That last statement sums up our perceptions of the administration.
Looking good seems to be high on the administrations priorities recently - no matter what the price or other tradeoffs that have to be made. Just look out at our quad - that fountain is the quintessence of excessiveness.
Yes, the quad needed a makeover and its great to see people actually gathering in the middle of campus, but did we really need that wasteful and lavish fountain in our already cramped quad? Just think about all the construction over the past year - the Race Street Residence Hall, the law school building, the quad, the renovations in front of North Hall, the parking garage and now three new buildings are planned.
It was also impressive to see Student Life Dean David Ruth, Senior Vice President Jim Tucker, Provost Stephen Director and SCDC Executive Director Peter Franks all in attendance to answer questions. The administration isn't going to improve student life without understanding students' problems. The best way to do that is to talk to students directly.
However, while listening to the administration answer questions about the future of this University, a disturbing attitude shone through.
Taki announced three upcoming construction projects - a new dorm, a wellness center that would "wrap around" the DAC and a new academic building at 33rd and Chestnut streets. Taki excitedly extolled the many amenities and benefits the University would derive from these new facilities.
Taki explained that the wellness center will have an indoor track, more exercise space and a rock climbing wall. He also mentioned that exercisers will have an excellent view of traffic on Market Street and vice versa.
Wow, another shiny glass building will line Market Street!
The new academic space at 33rd and Chestnut Street will be a "green" building. Taki went on and on about its biofilters and walls of plants that purify the air. At one point the president said that the University was going to give the eco-friendly thing a shot, and at the very least, it will look good.
That last statement sums up our perceptions of the administration.
Looking good seems to be high on the administrations priorities recently - no matter what the price or other tradeoffs that have to be made. Just look out at our quad - that fountain is the quintessence of excessiveness.
Yes, the quad needed a makeover and its great to see people actually gathering in the middle of campus, but did we really need that wasteful and lavish fountain in our already cramped quad? Just think about all the construction over the past year - the Race Street Residence Hall, the law school building, the quad, the renovations in front of North Hall, the parking garage and now three new buildings are planned.
Fred
posted 5/25/07 @ 2:35 PM EST
One of the most severe problems facing the University over the past few decades has been its crumbling infrastructure. President Papadakis has done an excellent job in starting to reverse that trend. (Continued…)