Amid bomb scares, dangerous chemicals and -- not to be crass, just realistic -- more proposed fee hikes, we'd like to think our money is spent wisely and our safety on campus is assured.
But two weeks ago, a ceiling tile in a Burk Hall room hung precariously by one corner over students.
Throughout the semester, students have noticed loose tiles in the room, which is also dangerously dark. Few lights in the room work consistently, but instead flicker or simply blink out and refuse to respond to the switch -- indicating a frightening potential for electrical problems, including fire hazards.
Last week, the UPD and other SF State groups evacuated part of the Cesar Chavez Student Center and Malcolm X Plaza because of a bomb threat. SF State also works hard to deal with hazardous materials on campus.
With all the efforts to deal with potential safety problems, this obvious one remains. The university, aware of the problem since 1988, is investigating -- but lacks funds to fix the tiles.
This is outrageous.
Funding for new construction is separate from that to maintain existing ones - but why can't funds be found when a building is dangerous? Are we giving a face lift to a campus dying of a treatable illness?
We should prioritize finding funds to assure safety in existing buildings.
This campus needs to spend money to correct problems before a court case results.
It would save a lot of money for everyone.