2008 Woodie Awards
Art building cuts are troublesome
Editorial Board
Issue date: 10/24/06
Last Updated: 12/26/07
The Art department's recent growth and prestige only punctuates its need for a new facility. However, the future needs of the Art department are being sacrificed because of the current funding crisis.
While the original budget for the new art building was $4 million, the budget fluctuated to $7.8 million as the floor plan expanded to accommodate the planned Art department growth. The budget was slimmed down to $6.5 million when the trustees decided that the price tag was too high - in process cutting around 3,000 square feet of office, storage and classroom space.
Currently, the focus of administrators may be too narrow. They are forcing the issue to stay on track in order to complete the strategic plan by 2010.
In rushing this process, administrators will miss the bigger picture, only to begin fund-raising and addressing the needs of the science departments after rushing to finish an under-funded art building. What could very well happen is a repeat of Weyerhaeuser Hall, which reached its capacity in office space in more than one department from its completion.
The visual arts are a fundamental piece to the liberal arts. These cuts will not only hurt the current needs of faculty and students, but will be detrimental to the future of the department as well as the school as it continues its yearly growth.
Whitworth cannot afford to neglect the fine arts. Cutting space in the upcoming visual arts building will do just that.
While the original budget for the new art building was $4 million, the budget fluctuated to $7.8 million as the floor plan expanded to accommodate the planned Art department growth. The budget was slimmed down to $6.5 million when the trustees decided that the price tag was too high - in process cutting around 3,000 square feet of office, storage and classroom space.
Currently, the focus of administrators may be too narrow. They are forcing the issue to stay on track in order to complete the strategic plan by 2010.
In rushing this process, administrators will miss the bigger picture, only to begin fund-raising and addressing the needs of the science departments after rushing to finish an under-funded art building. What could very well happen is a repeat of Weyerhaeuser Hall, which reached its capacity in office space in more than one department from its completion.
The visual arts are a fundamental piece to the liberal arts. These cuts will not only hurt the current needs of faculty and students, but will be detrimental to the future of the department as well as the school as it continues its yearly growth.
Whitworth cannot afford to neglect the fine arts. Cutting space in the upcoming visual arts building will do just that.
For this reason, The Whitworthian asks readers to be responsible and respectful in any comments posted. The responsibility for statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not the whitworthian.com. Readers are also encouraged to report questionable comments by e-mailing editor@whitworthian.com.
Be the first to comment on this story