Dear Editor,
This is in response to an article ran in the 10/15 edition of the ET, “Construction brings destruction to campus” written by staff writer Katie Craig.
Ms. Craig complains about the inconvenience she and others suffer do to the many construction projects going on in and around the ETSU campus. She expresses the opinion that the administration and the physical plant are inconsiderate in scheduling such tasks for spring or fall term. Ms. Craig would apparently like the projects to be completed in the summer term or not at all.
To begin, the construction of a new gym was begun some time ago and could not be completed in as short a time as the summer allowed. Construction takes place when both a contractor and funding for said contractor are simultaneously available. It is almost never the case that no party is inconvenienced and we are fortunate that the university is able to fund these projects at all. Funding for higher education across the state is and has recently been in both short supply and high demand. We should be grateful that these much-needed public works are being accomplished, rather than indignant because we have to walk an extra block or park a hundred feet further away. I assure you that parking on this campus is no where near the problem that it is in many other colleges with a comparable student body, and that our campus is in better repair than that of many other schools as a result of all this construction.
Secondly and more importantly, Ms. Craig reported some erroneous facts about the sculptures created by students and visiting artist Steve Bickley, which were in place in the library plaza. None of the visiting artist’s work was harmed. It was removed upon (admittedly very short) notice and is in the care of the school’s sculpture studio. As for the student’s work, as Vice President of the Student Sculpture Society and one of the sculptors who made the library benches, I have personally inspected them all. More than half are still in place, and although many were taken apart and suffered peripheral damage, only one bench requires considerable repair. No, appropriate warning was not given to the art department to prevent the destruction of one bench and damage to some others, but yes, the physical plant and the contractors involved were quick to recognize their mistake and reparations for the damages are in process.
The tie that student sculptors have to the campus is not lost. Those responsible for the damage took appropriate actions to make amendments. I will repair the damaged bench and hope to reinstall it by the spring semester. Student artwork is in more danger on campus for other reasons. More damage was done to the benches by skateboarders and vandals in the first two years of their existence than by this construction. Also, just a few days ago (probably on the night of 10/12), a permanently installed sculpture in the square in front of Ball Hall and a smaller sculpture installed on the steps of the hall were uprooted and stolen. The student artists are both outraged and discouraged by this and ask that anyone with information regarding this felony action contact the department of art and design or public safety.
Gabriel Zimmer

Author