Morgan State University, a historically black university centered in the heart of Baltimore, Maryland, has experienced a change in scenery and many of its students and faculty are on a quest to find out why.
Ranked number 14 among historically black colleges and universities in the September issue of U.S. News and World Report, MSU has taken a leap towards progression with its school officials electing for campus reconstruction.
Little is known about the transition. A lack of communication between school officials and students and faculty is to blame. “I am unaware of the purpose of construction,” said a professor at the university, who has opted to remain anonymous.
The center of campus, which once encompassed greenery and benches belonging to fraternities and sororities, now houses hills of dirt and work plows in a fenced area occupied by construction workers.
“The construction is all in an attempt to replace underground pipes and steam condensation distributions to better equip the university’s facilities,” Kenneth Ellis, a physical plant director at MSU said. Students have echoed concerns about the construction. Many are found bumping into each other as a result of the repositioning of pathways and the lack of handicap accessibility has created a disturbance. Construction has also served as a distraction in classrooms that do not have windows that close properly.
“Seeing the enormous amount of yard work on campus can be depressing at times,” stated Breyana Hall, a junior student majoring in physical education.
Even with a new student center, parking garage and communications center opening last year, construction continues. According to Ellis, the school is in the midst of renovating Banneker, the former communications building, to house psychology and education studies and the McKeldin Center, the former student center, will soon house graduate studies, and the construction for the new library is near completion. Ellis has stated that the new facilities will be integrated with technology based classrooms to better assist students and professors.
The projected completion dates for construction vary. Although the library was scheduled for completion in December 2006, it is now slotted for opening in the beginning of the 2008 spring semester. The completion of pipe installation and renovations of Banneker and McKeldin Center have not been scheduled. Ellis has confirmed however, that the yard will be in tact for the May 2007 Commencement ceremony.
“I am so excited about the renovations that are taking place on campus, but it is unfortunate that I am graduating in May and will not be able enjoy the newly styled campus,” stated Christina Jackson, a senior student majoring in finance.
Ellis has confirmed that construction on the yard will interfere with homecoming activities which are October 13 this year. The campus is still expected to be full of activity during homecoming, and to better accommodate students, faculty, and guests who will be in attendance, fraternities and sororities, who regularly unite, will be relocated to Morgan Commons, the area of campus that is positioned in the south of the Welcome Bridge. Morgan State police will assist in directing vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
“Not having construction complete by homecoming is an inconvenience,” Tiffani Willis, a senior student majoring in medical technology, said. “I know the construction is for a great cause, but I wish it was carried out after homecoming festivities were concluded; it tampers with tradition.”
Plans for construction over the next five to ten years are also in progress. An environmental studies facility that will neighbor the Engineering building is scheduled for construction during the academic school year of 2008-2009. Demolitions are to include Montebello and Northwood shopping center. Once demolished, Soper library will house the registration, financial aid and bursar departments, now found in the Montebello complex, and a customer center for students and a hotel management school will be built on the land currently occupied by the Northwood shopping center. According to Ellis, additional land acquisitions for further expansion have yet to be discussed.
Although the center of campus is a stranger to the eye for many, it serves as a progression towards change. Morgan State University is on a quest to develop opportunities one step at a time. The first stop is construction!
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