Chris,
I agree with Mr. Rayburn on the appreciation of an honest and open opinion. However, I am on the completely opposite side of the spectrum in this debate from you. I have had enough of the poor facilities. There is almost no way that this building will survive without some massive renovation in the next 20 years or so. The school is massively drafty. The heating is inefficient and half the time can cause a third degree burn if not watched carefully. Many windows are broken on the first floor. Both computer labs are ovens in the summer and cramped all year round. The teachers have no offices in the building, seriously inconveniencing both student and teachers alike. The North Attic is a terrible place to hold a play, much less hold a class for an hour. There are few classrooms that are truly integrated with technology, and those that are need improvement. We cant use the parking lot anyways without paying for a spot after applying for it in the first place. Kenney Gym is a total dump, with countless problems that are beyond saving. Plus the time wasted walking there and back cuts time down to maybe half an hour, if the coaches are lucky. These are not what anyone would call "small problems". These are major. They need fixing. From what I've seen of these plans, these address all of these problems and more, before they become problems. Whether or not you like these plans, you have to agree this school is broken. We are supposed to be some of the best and brightest students in the state, if not the country. The best and brightest need facilities that will enable them to grow and mature, rather than be cooped up in a space too small, broken, and dark. The Uni community has sent a huge number of people to the U of I over the years, 19 in this past year alone. I think its time we stop being treated like the stepchild of the U of I and finally get the funding and building we both need and deserve. This facility will not last forever, and merely maintaining it will eventually lead to its downfall. Then what? Will the University bite the bullet and build us a new building when this one is deemed a hazard? Or will they prop it up with minimal funds like you propose? I'm all for preserving the community feel too, but a building that doesn't meet our needs now will never meet them in the future. In short, we need this new building and we need to be strong in asking for it. We have contributed much to both the University and the community at large and it is time we get something back.
Chris, I agree with Mr.
Chris,
I agree with Mr. Rayburn on the appreciation of an honest and open opinion. However, I am on the completely opposite side of the spectrum in this debate from you. I have had enough of the poor facilities. There is almost no way that this building will survive without some massive renovation in the next 20 years or so. The school is massively drafty. The heating is inefficient and half the time can cause a third degree burn if not watched carefully. Many windows are broken on the first floor. Both computer labs are ovens in the summer and cramped all year round. The teachers have no offices in the building, seriously inconveniencing both student and teachers alike. The North Attic is a terrible place to hold a play, much less hold a class for an hour. There are few classrooms that are truly integrated with technology, and those that are need improvement. We cant use the parking lot anyways without paying for a spot after applying for it in the first place. Kenney Gym is a total dump, with countless problems that are beyond saving. Plus the time wasted walking there and back cuts time down to maybe half an hour, if the coaches are lucky. These are not what anyone would call "small problems". These are major. They need fixing. From what I've seen of these plans, these address all of these problems and more, before they become problems. Whether or not you like these plans, you have to agree this school is broken. We are supposed to be some of the best and brightest students in the state, if not the country. The best and brightest need facilities that will enable them to grow and mature, rather than be cooped up in a space too small, broken, and dark. The Uni community has sent a huge number of people to the U of I over the years, 19 in this past year alone. I think its time we stop being treated like the stepchild of the U of I and finally get the funding and building we both need and deserve. This facility will not last forever, and merely maintaining it will eventually lead to its downfall. Then what? Will the University bite the bullet and build us a new building when this one is deemed a hazard? Or will they prop it up with minimal funds like you propose? I'm all for preserving the community feel too, but a building that doesn't meet our needs now will never meet them in the future. In short, we need this new building and we need to be strong in asking for it. We have contributed much to both the University and the community at large and it is time we get something back.