Ongoing construction

By Editorial

The Santa Clara ran an article in May 2004 about upcoming construction projects on campus. One such project was the demolition of Kennedy Mall between Swig and McLaughlin residence halls.

The plan was to tear down the existing cement and pagoda structure to raise a new, environmentally friendly student center holding classrooms and common areas. "It will definitely take less than a year to build; it's not a complicated building," stated Jane Barrantes, director of auxiliary services.

It is now almost October of 2005, and the student center is still a work in progress. Students are complaining about early morning construction noise, limited access to residence halls, and the inconvenience of having a major building project right below their windows.

Residents of these affected halls are wondering: Should these students be receiving any compensation for putting up with the prolonged project? Despite the rumors, students in the Graham complex did not receive any such compensation when Sobrato Hall was built in the 1990s. Likewise, there are no plans to provide any discount to students currently living in Dunne, Swig, McLaughlin, or Walsh residence halls.

Housing staff assured that the building would be finished by January 2006, as winter quarter classes are scheduled to be held in the new facility. Until then? Students will have to deal.

Should the university award these residents with a discounted room rate or other compensation for their trouble? Past university decisions say no, but angry students would appreciate some acknowledgment of the issues they deal with because of the disruption.

Of course, these students are the ones who will receive the most benefits from the structure once completed. With a patio area, a student den and study rooms, it may be a facility worth waiting for. Come January, we'll know for sure.