With all the attention being paid to the new Baker Center, other buildings are rising and falling around campus. Here is a breakdown of some of the major changes ' for better or worse.
Anderson Laboratory
With $3.6 million allotted for renovations of Porter Hall, the need for the old labs is beginning to fade. The labs are being used to max capacity, and there is no more room to compensate. According to a Mar. 9, 2004 Post article, the costs of renovating the building would be higher than the $650,000 it cost to build it in 1973. It needs to be torn down to improve transportation between the new Baker University Center and Richland Ave., which might also create a safer way for students to cross from West Green to Porter Hall. The danger of the crossing has been unaddressed for too long and the bumps and signs are a measly attempt to deter accidents by the administration. While the jackhammers are still pounding rock, take the chance to fix the little things.
Jeff Hill
After a major waterline rupture in 2002 caused unstable conditions, Jefferson Hill became OU's second largest eyesore. After almost five years, Jefferson Hill's condition has become unbearable. There might be a solution. Any student that happens to travel up this steep and challenging obstacle course will notice that the brick surface has been covered with hay. Rather than follow up with a lengthy repair, the plans are simply to grow grass on the hill. When something cannot be updated or turned into something functional, at least make it look nice. A green ' sometimes mud colored ' slope would be far more inviting and pleasant than the potholed, tarnished hill of past years. It might not completely discourage Uptown revelers from trampling on it, but at least it won't trip them anymore.
Swing dormitory
The construction site blocking the road between the golf course and South Green is beginning to resemble a real building. The dorm has been outfitted with windows but a roof is still in order. This dormitory will serve as a swing dorm to house students during renovation of the dorms on East Green over the next four years. The lengthy renovation process is part of a plan to increase enrollment at OU in the future. With less than a year left before the deadline, final touches are coming. When the tiered process of updating the other dorms is complete, this will allow for more residence space and should end the practice of turning doubles into triples, something the university has done to literally cram as many students as they can into the dormitories.
Coming soon
The former Baker Center will be torn down to make room for the new Scripps College of Communication. Preliminary plans might force traffic diversions in the heart of Uptown Athens. It will be a contentious affair. Stay posted for more information.
The center of campus has been remade and the ensuing changes are beginning to ripple across the rest of Athens. Roads still need updated, traffic lights need installed and some university buildings require some basic upkeep, but it can be done.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of the executive editors. Send your submissions to posteditorial@ohiou.edu.
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From the slopes of Jeff Hill to Richland Avenue, the campus is undergoing rapid changes
