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R@tunda Waiting to Take a Shower Since 1920
Volume 82, Number 1
September 5, 2002
Stvidents Weigk In On Budget Cuts James Hare Opinion Editor Thanks to a large state budget deficit and no new sources of funding becoming available, Virginia's higher education system is pondering what the effects of further budget cuts will be. With higher education having been cut in the past, will further budget cuts jeopardize the quality of education in Virginia's colleges and universities? Some Longwood students do not believe so. As senior Temple Lowry said, "Professors will not leave Longwood because they are too enthusiastic about the students and the town to leave." She seemed less worned about the departure of quality faculty members than about the physical detenoration of the campus and campus facilities. She further mentioned that "a new theatre [building] has been
promised since my first year at Longwood, and nothing has been done." Students also question some of the financial pnorities the administration has set. Thomas Aguero, a freshman, questioned whether rebuilding the streets of campus was as important as renovating dormitory buildings so all build ings have air conditioning and other modern amenities. Aguero also said that "Longwood needs to try to develop better ties with businesses in order to use them as a funding source." Aguero also asked how the administration believed it would be possible to "increase the size of the school without building new dorms to accommodate more students." The priorities of a growing school are very important to sophomore Jenna Foster who said, "while budget cuts will not
direcdy affect the quality of education students receive, it will affect things like the quality of food, dorms, parking and other important parts of the university. If important areas like these are overlooked, they will eventually affect the quality of education." Foster also said that "enthusiastic faculty will stay at Longwood, while faculty members who are more concerned about the financial bottom line may have to leave." Further budget cuts in Virginia's education system will sorely stretch the abilities of colleges and universities to cope with the challenges ahead. During a time when money is necessary for building projects to accommodate more students, money is becoming harder to come by. This type of budget crunch may cause problems in the future.
Longwood Joins Effort to Conserve Water Liz Richards Assistant Editor Four weeks ago, Farmville was placed on a water restriction, due to a water shortage this town has not experienced in almost sixty years. The Appomattox River, where Farmville receives its water, has reached extremely low levels,
causing many Virginia cities to regulate their water usage. Currendy, it is illegal for anyone to water their lawn, and commercial car wash facilities are only open between the hours of noon and 8 p.m. Not adhering to the regulations is considered a class one misdemeanor, and could result in a $250 fine. Past restrictions that prohibited anyone from
The Appomattox River, Farmville's main water source, has reached dangerously low levels, leading to water restriction efforts
washing their car, at any hour, was lifted as of last week. Longwood has done its best to inform its residents to regulate their water usage by making bulletin boards and posting flyers in every residence hall with information on how to conserve water. Some of the suggestions made to on campus students are to limit their showering time to four minutes, and not to leave sink water running when it is not being used. The dining hall has been using plastic utensils, which cuts back on water expenditure used in washing the traditional ceramic dishes. The only drawback of using the plastic utensils is that "they cost Aramark more money to order the large shipments of utensils, than it does to actually wash the dishes," said Michael Clements, Director of Residence Education and Housing. There has been speculation See WATER p.4
Constructing Longwood University Kristina Locrch Staff Wntrr Walking around campus, it becomes evident that major con struction is already in progress or commencing. Occurring simultaneously is the rebuilding of Grainger as well as the Rotunda, but most evident is the work on Brock Commons. The construction of Pine St. into a pedestrian mall, Brock Commons, started three weeks ago and is scheduled to be completed next fall. PresenUy, construction is well underway with modifications relocating utility, water, steam, communication and sewer lines beneath Lankford. How will all this construction affect pedestrian and vehicular traffic as well as campus life? "We are going to leave the major pathways open for as long as we can," said Brent Douglas,
Director of Facilities Management. The sidewalk in front of Her that leads up to the ramp entering the dining hall will be open throughout the construction. The sidewalks on both sides of the Student Union will be closed, but a pedestrian walkway will be created to connect Lankford to the Dining Hall. The Library will only be accessible from the back entrance, facing Race St. Lancer Gym will always be reachable from the Spruce St. entrance while part way through construction the Pine St. entrance will close. In addition, traffic patterns are changing as Pine St. is now per manendy closed between High St. and Chamber St. as well as from Madison St. to Redford St. with no vehicular traffic allowed. See CONSTRUCTION P. 4