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OGDEN — Students returned to the campus of Weber State University this week, and many of them will spend time in the social science building.
One of those students is psycology major Chase Brower, who uses a lab in the building to prepare for the school's brain week. "We do a lot of dissections in this lab," he said.
Those dissections require sterile tools, something the current lab does not provide. Brown murky water coming from sinks in the labs means they have to take equipment to other buildings for proper cleaning. "It leaves like deposits on top of the trays. So that kind of prevents us from being able to utilize everything in here," Brower said.
That water also means students are often forced to find other places to perform their work. "Generally, I think we take them up to the science building, which is quite a ways away," Brower said.
The water is just one of the problems students face in Weber State's social science building. "We do have some problems with like bugs coming in here, and that's kind of a contaminant issue," Brower said.
Other concerns include water leaks, crowded hallways and confusing numbering for classrooms. Professors and school administrators share some of the same complaints as the students.
The vice president of university advancement said, "It's not a real conducive environment for education."
The building was built in 1972 during a time when the university experienced a lot of growth. Even though it is home of the College of Social and Behavioral Science, it is used by many other departments.
It is estimated that more than 4,000 students use the building on a daily basis. It is also home to at least 70 full-time faculty and staff, along with many other part-time and adjunct professors.
Frank Harrold, dean of the college of social and behavioral sciences, said, "Almost every student who graduated in the last 30 to 40 years from this institution has taken classes in this building."
All that use has led to wear and tear that is now interfering in the education process. Pillars in some classrooms get in the way, making it hard for students to see the board. In other classes, there are complaints about the small desks and lack of space.
One professor says his classes are limited to 10 to 12 students. "When we need to change the type of activities that we're doing in here, we have to either move to another location on campus or we just kind of have to make do and scootch in wherever we can find," he said.
School project manager Chad Downs says a big concern is if a major earthquake hits the Wasatch Front. "If they shake the building side to side, those big stone panels that you see on the exterior would likely fall off."
School administrators have come up with a plan to renovate the building. "Renovating the building, building essentially a new building inside that frame, it's estimated will save about $5 million over the alternative of building a brand new building," Harrold said.
The Utah Legislature has already approved money to begin the design process for renovations on the building. School officials say they are now asking lawmakers for money they can combine with donations to begin the construction process and provide a better environment for students to learn.
"I think it would be really awesome if we could utilize these rooms to their full potential by having the equipment that we need and the resources that we need," Brower said.
Administrators hope the renovations will be complete in the fall of 2018. The new building will be renamed the John E. Lindquist Hall, thanks to a $5 million donation he made toward the project. Morgan Wilkins works as a producer at KSL-TV in Salt Lake City. He graduated from Weber State University in communications. Morgan is always looking for feedback. E-mail him at mwilkins@ksl.com
