By Katie Ralbusky, Online Editor

We all know about the construction going on around campus. A new press box is being built along with a new ramp in front of the Student Union. Three parking lots are blocked off and we commuters have had to make some accommodations. I understand it can all be a little frustrating. So I asked around campus and inquired as to what students and teachers alike thought of all this.

Professor Ryan McCullough stated, “While all of the campus construction is an inconvenience, I feel that we will all see and feel the benefits of those improvements.” Student Peyton Neely had similar thoughts, “The construction is an inconvenience to the students here but it’s nice to see the campus improving.”

I do agree that it’s nice to see our campus expanding in certain areas.

However, I wish they would have finished construction before the first week of school began.

Things are always complicated enough the first week with people learning their schedules, moving in, and adding or dropping classes. And that’s before you arrive and find you have no place to park because of campus construction.

I was lucky and got to campus early enough on my first day so that I could park in my usual spot, though I did notice a larger number of cars parked around me than usual. It was not until later that day I learned they had three lots blocked off. And I didn’t find this out from the school emails that were sent out but instead from a fellow student in a class who was late because she couldn’t find a spot to park.

I wasn’t the only one surprised by the ongoing changes. Student Nicole Henry said, “I was surprised that they were still painting the Union steps and that the handicap ramp is still not finished.”

I suppose a little trouble will be worth the reward. As Professor Peter Staffel noted, “It is as essential for an institution of higher learning to constantly upgrade its facilities as it is to upgrade its faculty and staff.  Mind you, in an era of constant cutting back, I suppose you could also substitute “maintain” for “upgrade.””

In the end, there’s not much we can do but grin and bear with it. Hopefully this will not be permanent and we will be able to get back to our normal routines. At least we have new aspects of our University to look forward to when construction is complete!