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Image provided by: SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Vol. 1 Nov. 1, 1974 B u i l d i n g P r o b l e m s First impressions are lasting ones, it has been said. What impressions do the present facilities of the Upper Division College create? The old brick buildings, still bearing names of previous owners, make no attempt to mask their 120 years of existence during which they housed the Globe Woolen Mills. Mr. Carl Eschelbach, Director of Facilities for Upper Division, says that despite the outward appearance ot the buildings, the only problem is that the roof leaks oc casionally. He claims that there is no evidence of rot or deterioration in the structure, which he owes to the fact that they were built to withstand the heavy machinery of a mill. However, most students have seen the walls with bricks and mortar missing. Mr. Eschelbach explains that some of the bricks of existing buildings came down when adjacent buildings that once comprised a large complex were knocked down. Last year bricks and mortar fell from the chimney that stood in the parking lot, damaging nearby parked cars. As soon as this happened the threatening chimney was removed. Another potential hazard on the campus is the glass from the many broken windows. Mr. Eschelbach reported that local vandals are responsible for breaking windows and that there is little the college can do to prevent it. But it seems that the problem could be discouraged by adequately lighting the premises after dark. While these problems are potentially dangerous, one of the most immediate concerns should be the pigeon population on the roof. Pigeons carry a disease called Ornithosis or Parrot Fever, which is a virus readily transmitted to humans by contaminated air, droplets, or feathers of contaminated birds. The symptoms of this disease in humans are abrupt onset of feber, chills, headache, and muscle pains. Other possible effects are insomnia, apathy, and pneumonia. This disease is not uncommon in this area of the United States. Mr. Gennis, the present owner and landlord of the premises, has tried several methods of eliminating the birds, including boarding up their old nesting places within the buildings and towers and feeding them poisonous com and birth control pills; but it seems that these have had little effect. As one enters the building, he im m e d iately encounters another trouble spot. The heavy steel doors are without windows so that one is liable to either swing the door open and hit another or be the victim himself. Aside from these physical problems, the college also suffers a lack of space. There is not enough room now to store the necessary records of the administration. If the college continues to grow at its current rate, we will need additional rooms long before the new campus is ready in the Fall of 1977. There is a possibility that the college will take over more space in the buildings it currently occupies to solve the problem temporarily. But even when the new campus is in use, it will most likely be unable to accommodate the entire student body, and we will have to look elsewhere for additional facilities. If one attends a few classes, he will invariably freeze in one and suffocate in another. The thermostats were not properly regulated until a few days ago, causing some rooms to receive too much heat and others none Remember When at all. Due to broken windows and haphazardly constructed windows that leak air at an incredible rate, in some rooms it is almost impossible to sit for an hour. Once again, Mr. Gennis promises to correct the situation at the earliest possible date. Unfortunately, there seems to be no adequate solution, to the overheated, stuffy rooms except that the thermostats are being regulated. Because the heating system does not provide air circulation, an attempt was made to improve the air flow by cutting off a couple of inches from the bottoms of classroom doors. Perhaps this has helped somewhat, but the class doors still cannot be kept closed for an hour. At the present time, though, most students are more con cerned about lack of space in the Student Center. At times it is difficult to find a place to stand, much less sit. The center is vitally important since it is the only area on campus where students can gather informally and, therefore, deserves the im mediate attention of the ad ministration. If anyone has comments or suggestions regarding the building or grounds, they should contact the Building and Grounds Committee or Victor Markowitz. (Photos by George L. Walters) LINDA ANN BRAZN
