Construction Causes Concerns on Campus

By CAITLIN HAEDRICH

The construction of the new science building on the St. Paul’s campus is causing some concern among ASP students and faculty, though most agree that the building is necessary and will be a good addition to the campus.

Class disruption is a primary concern because many classes housed in Payson are in the center of the construction. Michael Ricard, Director of ASP, said, “There are some days I worry about the noise level.” But he remains confident “it won’t take away from the classroom experience.” The noise level has been a definite problem for some, as Kathy Lipshultz, a Marine Biology student in Payson said, “It’s definitely a distraction in class.” But for others, like Jen McGeoch, Lipshultz classmate, it is less of an issue. She said “[The construction] has not been that big of an issue.”

Jingya Qiu, a student whose Molecular Biology class takes place in the older Science building, recounts an incident a few days ago that clearly disrupted the class; “We saw this giant metal shingle fall from the sky and land right at the feet of a construction worker. It was a horrifying and traumatizing experience and I hope to never witness something like that again.” But Qiu also agrees with Ricard, “The construction has barely affected my life at all. The workers have all been very friendly, and I have nothing to complain about.”



Suzy Struckmann, an Ecology student in Payson, points out another issue: “It’s such a problem getting to class; the paths have to swerve-- and there are always random holes that we have to walk around.” Currently, the areas affected by the work are roped off, often blocking the paths that lead to Payson and the surrounding buildings. Makeshift routes have been demarcated to allow students and faculty to reach their classrooms. But, true to Struckmann’s word, they are often indirect and twisty. Mae DesTroismaisons, another ecology student, also admits, “[The construction] is definitely a little bit of a hindrance when trying to get around.”

The construction has also presented a unique nuisance to the Marine Biology class. The class often takes overnight field trips that require a lot of equipment. In previous years, they were able to back the bus up right up to the doors and load it close to the building. Now, the bus must park outside the construction so students and faculty are forced to carry all the equipment from the building, around the construction, and to the bus. Linden Rayton, an intern of the class, said “The fact that we can’t back up the bus right up to the door is definitely an inconvenience.” Katie Kelty, a student, agrees, “Maybe I’m just being lazy but, it’s really annoying.”

Rayton also interned last year at ASP in Payson when the construction began, so she puts this year’s interference in perspective. Last year at ASP, they were working on the foundation and main structure, which required a lot of loud heavy machinery. She says it was “noise all the time. All the time.” With this in mind, she said ““It’s been wonderful this year-- Totally not a big deal.”

Rayton isn’t the only one who thinks the construction could have been a much bigger problem this summer. Scott Betournay, the Molecular Biology teacher in Payson, said “The original schedule was to not offer some of the science courses this summer due to the tearing down of Payson. As the construction schedule was modified, it allowed Payson to be used.”

Another concern with the construction is maintaining a good relationship between the workers and students. When asked about the student-worker relationship, manager of the construction Mike Comer replied, “Workers are required to have no contact with students of any kind. If a student engages them in conversation we ask that the worker simply walk away. This has not been a problem though.” Later, he said “the students have never been a problem.”

The building, called the Lindsey Center for Mathematics and Science, will be an exciting addition to the St. Paul’s campus. According to the school’s website, it has long been part of the school’s master plan to enhance facilities that are no longer meeting the demands of the curriculum. The new building may also house many of next years ASP classes because it is air conditioned -- a welcome idea to most students who have suffered the warm mid-summer temperatures of the older buildings. DesTroismaisons strongly supports the proposal saying “I think it’s awesome!”