It takes years for a building to be surveyed, planned, constructed and finished. By the second day of inauguration, paint is falling out, roofs are leaking, and the architecture is now featured in several museums.
As UTEP almost celebrates its 110th anniversary, there are buildings that have risen and fallen apart through the decades.
The Liberal Arts building is a prime example of that, it still has remnants of the 1960s Cold War basement floors for bomb shelters, the Union still has the discontinued bowling alley, and the legacy Old Main building is considered a heritage site by the city.
It is inevitable to set up renovations, even if it sacrifices the UTEP campus experience.
Recently, construction sites have been stationed all around campus, from Hawthrone Street to the old Academic Advising center, which is being demolished to Schuster Street, for the new Aerospace engineering complex.
New temporary sidewalks had to be drawn for passing students, but Schuster has had renovations causing long lines at the traffic lights, stretching from Mike Loya through the parking lots.
Another on-going construction is inside the Cotton Memorial building, as the first floor beyond the photography lab has been expanded for a new media project. A few classes had to be moved due to noise complaints, and desks in the lab are covered in sawdust, but disruptions have been minimum.
Since the Academic Advising Center will be demolished, facilities and management, along with the library department have set up new facilities at the third floor of the library. This was not last-minute move or desperate accommodation, but an opportunity to benefit students, according to library Director Robert Stakes.
“Around 88 percent of students visit the library,” Stakes said. “When they asked us whether it would disrupt or increase the traffic in our building, I said, we already have the students, why not go even further help them?”
The library hosts a variety of departments including the Miner Learning Center (MLC) which aids on certain courses and general tutoring, the University Writing Center (UWC) which assists students on their professional and format writing as well the Technology Support Center that hosts a two-floor computer lab and technology assistance for all students and more.
Due to the number of services, it would seem overcrowding but adding the Academic Advising was part of Stakes’ vision for the library.
“Like the Union buildings, we wanted to become a full instructional center for students, go beyond just the library,” Stakes said. “One of the biggest issues since the new Advising management for the last ten years has been poor advising, and now students can find help in the same place they study.”
The accommodation was installed during the second summer semester and was done a week before the beginning of classes. Only a few incidents occurred including a false fire alarm and a few roof leaks that were quickly patched.
While it could be frustrating having to accommodate for temporary changes, the benefits pay out in the long run. Facilities and management have prioritized long-term renovations and solutions to benefit upcoming generations. If students can find the patience for these shortcomings, they can secure a better campus for future miners.
Eugenio Cantu is a contributor and may be reached at [email protected]
