Finally, something is happening in the way of progress for the arts at Washington College.
Students and professors alike have been complaining for some time now about the state of the arts on campus - particularly the facilities which enclose them.
Gibson Fine Arts Center, for instance, has remained a problematic facility since its opening in the mid-1960s. The building opened six months behind schedule along with Tawes Theatre. An editorial which appeared in the November 4, 1967 issue of the Elm just after the opening said, "The building has already begun to settle, and cracks have appeared in walls as a result."
In addition, the editorial stated, "There seems to be a problem regulating temperature inside the building," a problem in Gibson that, to this day, has never been solved.
But all this could change.
Last semester, an anonymous donar gave the college some $20,000-$50,000 to be used for the funding of an outside consulting firm which would assess the state of the fine arts facilities on campus. The facilities which are being examined are Gibson, Tawes, and Larrabee Arts Center.
The assessment team was chosen by the administration and the heads of the arts departments: Amzie Parcell, Donald McColl, Dale Daigle, and Gibson and Tawes representative Tim Maloney.
Some individuals have found it odd that the college needs an external review to confirm what professors and students have been saying about the facilities for years. But, according to Parcell, so far, so good.
Parcell said, after meeting with the team, he has a positive outlook of the results they will uncover.
In addition, students who have met with the team to address their concerns have found them very receptive. One student felt that the assessment team seemed very interested in issues raised by students about the facilities.
This is, obviously, a step in the right direction. But it does not guarantee immediate change.
When the assessment team finally compiles the results and reports back to the college, the administration is under no obligation immediately to act on the findings.
And in many ways, they can't.
One must generate the necessary funds before moving forward with any change. With the plans already in the works for a new science building, the college will not be eligible to receive state funds again until 2007.
The college has been very fortunate that this anonymous donar has put forth the funds for an assessment. But students and professors should not get their hopes up right away.
Nonetheless, the administration should not ignore the issue simply because the situation cannot yet be fully rectified.
There are other ways to go about solving the problem which has plagued the campus for so long as it is. The Arts Service Council, a student organization, is already putting forth an effort to do their own part, although small.
The council is holding a talent show in order to raise funds for the music department.If students can make even the slightest attempt to help speed up the process, it is certainly not unreasonable that the administration should be able to do this as well.
This assessment provides the college with a starting point. It is important to move forward with the results, whatever they may be.
These results should not be allowed to sit for as long as the buildings in question have.
300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, Maryland 21620 | 410-778-2800 | 800-422-1782