New library carries high price

By Sean Mulhair
The Collegian

It is redundant for Fresno State to receive money for a renovation project for the library when the campus already has an excellent one.

Sure it needs more computer terminals and newer books. Yes, it will serve twice as many students, but now we have half of a library until the project is finished in 2008.

Susan Mangini, director of the library, said a state bond from Proposition 55 that was approved by voters in March 2004, is funding library renovations.

“Even though the school did not receive private funding for the project,” Mangini said, “the money was needed because construction costs for universities have really skyrocketed.”

Is the steep price tag of $92 million being spent on the library worth ignoring other badly needed improvements around campus?

For that price this library better have a landing strip and a couple of roller coasters.

Why didn’t the university or CSU system apply for additional funding for the rest of the campus?

Isn’t it funny how administration never seems to get enough funding, private or state, to hire new staff or build a desperately needed parking structure but receives plenty of cash to modernize an existing building for the price of a naval destroyer?

It just seems ironic that funding is always limited unless a new stadium, fast- food chain or a high-priced renovation comes into play.

Will the next project be to tear down Bulldog Stadium in favor of an indoor dome arena?

If Fresno State was given a landscaping bond I’m afraid we’d end up with an $8 million hedge maze in the shape of a bulldog.

Several other buildings on campus are in disrepair and need renovation even more than the library.

McKee Fisk, McLane Hall, Grosse Industrial Tech and that hideous greenish-blue chimney from Engineering West are truly the most depressing sights to behold on campus. Those buildings look like abandoned textile mills from the 1950s.

Several phone calls to the Plant Operations office went unreturned.

Shirley Armbruster of University Relations said campus improvement projects are selected by priority.

Armbruster said there were no major plans scheduled to renovate or reconstruct either McKee Fisk or McLane Hall in the next five years.

“Maintenance projects occur year-round,” she said. “But some buildings receive more attention than others.”

Many students I spoke with were unaware of the renovation but knew the library had shorter hours and less space.

When you add it all up, it’s just not worth the high price.

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