BY BRITTANY RUESS
(Webster Groves, March 15, 2011)Student leaders addressed five key issues at the Spring 2011 Delegate’s Agenda. Classroom renovations, sustainability, brand image and campus beautification, community relations with Webster Groves and campus housing were addressed.
Classroom Renovations
Clogged sinks, leaky pipes and mold are a few problems growing in the Visual Arts Studio. The studio along with Webster Hall, the Sam Priest and Pearson houses were voiced as areas of concern. In Webster Hall, Yvonne Osei, an international studies and graphics design major and Nadja Cajic, a senior psychology major, noted the building’s cracked ceilings and exposed wires. Their presentation included photos showing the difference between the renovated first floor of Webster Hall and its outdated third floor.
In a survey conducted by Osei and Cajic of students, 65 percent would like new desks in Webster Hall and 26 percent would also like new desks in the Priest and Pearson Houses. Justin Raymundo, a junior speech communications major, pointed out the desks in both buildings are the same type of desk. Students also wanted updated science laboratories.
Sustainability
Sustainability is not a new issue on the agenda. It was presented three times previously. The waste audit on February 19 proved that students are throwing away many recyclable material.
Dana Gruber, a junior psychology major, Matt Woodson, a senior international relations major and Kris Parsons, a junior international rights major, proposed taking advantage of local food markets for on campus dining. They also brought up the idea of implementing a sustainability coordinator who would bring in expertise and a proactive attitude. The position, according to their research, would allow campus sustainability to gain consistency.
Brand Imaging and Campus Beautification
Addison Hernandez, a senior international studies major, transferred from Carnegie-Mellon. At the school, he said, there was “the fence,” a stretch of fence for students to paint between dusk and dawn to paint announcements on.
According to the research conducted by Hernandez and his fellow presenter Hazel Mullan, a freshman major, of the 5,400 students who attended the Webster Groves campus, 90 percent are commuters. They proposed a central object or landmark, like “the fence” for students use as a meeting site and a way to feel connected to campus.
“It was a fun way for students to interact on campus,” Hernandez said.
Instead of a Gorlok statue which Jeff Royer, a 2010 accounting graduate first proposed to Student Government Association in 2009, Mullan and Hernandez suggested a globe statue. It would reflect Webster’s commitment to a global education. Mullan said beautification of campus through a landmark and gardens could up the reputation of the university.
When the presentation ended, Justin Bailey, a junior art major asked for the administration to consider removing the Gorock located in between the University Center and the Visual Arts Studio and replacing it with students’ and possibly alums’ sculptures and other artworks.
Community Relations between the University and Webster Groves
Since January 18, when the proposal of turning Luhr Library on the Eden Seminary Campus into a new Webster science building was rejected by the Webster Groves City Council, there has been some tension between those in favor of expansion and a select group of Webster Groves residents, known as Residents for Webster Groves, trying to halt university expansion.
After students voiced their concerns over Webster Groves residents dislike for Webster students, Karen Luebbert, said Webster faced similar issues when building the University Center and the Webster Village Apartments.
“Let’s not be skewed by a very few, very vocal group,” said Luebbert.
Ken Burns, a Webster Groves city councilman was in attendance and assured those in the room that Webster students are welcome in the community.
Campus Housing
Improvements to campus housing such as housing during winter break, reducing the two-year on campus living requirement and more spaces were recommended to the administration.
There are 725 spaces on campus but the waiting lists runs about 20-40 people. International students who do not go home over winter break are often stuck searching for a place to stay.
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