Kmart consideration for archives saddens alumnus
I want to applaud WMU for considering the purchase of the former Kmart Stadium Drive location as the potential new home of the university archives; I cannot think of a more symbolically appropriate building to house the institution’s archives than one previously owned by a dying corporation that is at best, the subject of pity and at worst, a laughingstock.
As a historian, I feel an inherent sense of sadness whenever I hear of or witness an old building being demolished because doing so permanently erases the memories and pride of those who passed through it’s doors to work, reside or study there. Worse, doing so forever denies someone either today or tomorrow the opportunity to stroll through that building’s halls and inquire about its past and about those people; it is from such inquiries that history is written. Our society derides the fact that it has become so obtuse and artificial; is it any wonder that it has done so when we replace brick, columns, and cupolas with disposable prefab?
I believe I speak for many when I state that as an undergraduate at WMU, I felt very little pride in my university for a multitude of reasons which I will not enumerate here; suffice to say, however, it’s cold, sterile architecture embodies the spirit of an institution whose machinery seems organized around squeezing its students for every dime while providing little return on their investment. Needless to say that as an alum, I feel even less pride in this university now that the administration is considering this purchase and letting an architectural jewel like East Hall crumble before the eyes of the community.
Rather than actively seeking funds to renovate the structure so that it might appropriately house the College of Education or the Department of History, WMU’s stewards have instead dodged the question and obfuscated their true position, perhaps hoping that time and the elements would once and for all render the question of East Hall moot. Hence I would like to thank this administration for its consideration of this venture and consequently, crystallizing my opinion of this university.
When it comes time to make my annual alumni donation, I will be certain it goes to my graduate institution in Virginia where I know it will be put to appropriate use, and will encourage fellow alumni to direct their donations elsewhere.
Michael J. Wright
WMU Class of 2002
Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=15350
Posted by heraldstaff
on Mar 7 2010. Filed under Letters to the Editor, Opinion.
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As an alum of WMU, reading Mr. Wright’s article makes me very sad, not because his opinion is ill-informed, but because he is correct on so many points. However, I am hopeful that WMU President, Dr. John Dunn who has shown exceptional leadership in coordinating interested constituents for a WMU medical school, will demonstrate the same caliber of leadership required to restore to prominence, the Historic East Campus. After all, developing a medical school, without any state funding, is a much more daunting endeavor than restoring five historic buildings. Furthermore, restoration of the East Campus structures is a one-time cost; while funding a medical school will be an ongoing, significant financial obligation. I am confident that Dr. Dunn and our great university are capable of both, and it can be done through a combination of public and private funding. This means that the University’s next capital request to Lansing must include funding for the restoration of East Hall, West Hall, North Hall, the former Speech & Hearing Center, and Vandercook Hall. These buildings must be the top five priorities on WMU’s “wish list”. The University’s must also include funding for the restoration of these structures in its next capital campaign. Then, the University should use bonds to finance whatever funding is not covered by the state or through the capital campaign.