The Appalachian Online - Students, parents, faculty chime in on campus construction

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Students, parents, faculty chime in on campus construction

Monday, 09 June 2008

by Edward Sztukowski
Intern News Reporter

Students, parents, and faculty walking around Appalachian Sate University’s campus during the summer months have most likely seen at least one bit of construction taking place.

With the university growing each year, expansion of many of the buildings has become necessary.

However, the growth comes at somewhat of a price, as many pathways have had to be re-worked and fenced-off areas are common.

Three of the major construction zones are Kidd Brewer Stadium, the new Reich College of Education building, and the new cafeteria, set to replace Welborn Dining Hall.

According to the Web site www.asufacilities.com, Kidd Brewer Stadium is currently undergoing a $50 million renovation, which will raise the seating capacity to 22, 000 as well as offer new locker rooms, an athlete study hall and training rooms.

Currently, the area is undergoing heavy construction and is behind schedule.

Some students feel the expansion is unnecessary and too expensive.

“The new stadium is a waste of money; they should really direct it to other departments that could use the money more,” said senior history major Gregory T. Ascik.

Other students do not share the same sentiment, citing the stadium expansion as a good thing.

“I work at the Quinn [Recreation Center], and so I get to see the changes it goes through whenever I’m there. It may be a bit of a hassle now, but it’s going to be really nice,” said sophomore biology major Benjamin A. Combs.

The new cafeteria, to include River Street Cafe and Food Court Sanford Commons, is still under construction since the project began in June 2006 with no defi nitive completion date. Photo by Alisha Park

Some faculty members also see the stadium expansion as unnecessary construction.

“Some of the construction is necessary, the new College of Education building for example. We clearly don’t need a larger stadium, our primary mission is academic,” said David E. Huntley, an Interdisciplinary Studies teacher.

The new College of Education building is currently starting construction, and will be able to accommodate the growing student population better than the current building, Edwin Duncan Hall.

According to the Web site www.ced.appstate.edu, Edwin Duncan Hall was originally created to serve 80 faculty members, and about 1, 000 students. Currently, it accommodates approximately 200 faculty members and 2,400 students.

Rosemary Mock, an Appalachian State graduate from 1968, is excited about the new College of Education construction.

“I’m really pleased at how they have made the campus much prettier. The construction is definitely necessary and I’m thrilled about the new College of Education building because I was an education major here,” said Mock. “Business and science have seemed to really be the focus on campus the last few years, so I’m glad the College of Education is getting an update.”

The new cafeteria construction has had big effects on the student population, with many of them ignoring thoughts of construction for the sake of their stomachs.

“I think the new cafeteria looks great, and I hope it will be as good, if not better, than the current cafeteria,” said Combs.

The new cafeteria is set to provide many of the same services as Welborn Dining Hall, but the exact date of its opening is unknown.

Opinions have differed over the construction all over campus, but expansion will become more and more necessary as Appalachian State continues to increase in size.