Frustration grows over Kennedy construction

By Molly Leaverton

After originally being told that construction on Kennedy Mall would be completed by the beginning of fall quarter, students returned this fall to find dirt still piled high on the grounds and loud construction outside their windows.

Now, university officials are assuring students that the building will be open at the beginning of winter quarter -- almost four months after the desired completion date given by Assistant Vice President of University Operations Joe Sugg.

But many students feel that the project has been intrusive to their sleep and academic schedules, and were not expecting to adjust to the inevitable noise of construction for yet another quarter.

"The construction is frustrating because it starts at 8 a.m., you wake up to jackhammers and workers outside of your window," said freshman Katelyn Schlereth. "Even though I do not have an 8 a.m. class I am woken up and feel uncomfortable with the workers right outside."

In a May 27, 2004, article in The Santa Clara, Sugg said that the university's goal was to be finished with construction "by the end of the summer."

However, rather than being over deadline, Sugg says that because of changes to the original project, it was extended into fall quarter.

Sugg said one main change in the project and reason for the extended construction was the decision to tear up and landscape Alviso Street.

"We have torn up Kennedy mall, torn up Alviso street, it just takes longer," he said.

Construction begins everyday at 8 a.m., except for Sundays, a schedule that can be problematic for students trying to catch-up on sleep Saturday morning.

"Even though I do not have an 8 a.m. class I am woken up everyday and cannot get back to sleep after the construction begins at 8 a.m.," said John Vitou, a student from Loyola University New Orleans. "On Saturday morning I want to be able to sleep in."

Director of Auxiliary Services Jane Barrantes said she understands students' frustration regarding construction.

"Students have an absolutely legitimate complaint about the noise, but it will be over soon, we have only got a few more weeks to go to deal with this noise," Barrantes said.

Even Barrantes has been affected by the noise. She and her co-workers share an office on the second floor of Benson Memorial Center and are often distracted by the noise and vibrating caused by the loud construction in Kennedy Mall.

Still, housing has not made any special accommodations for residents affected by the construction.

According to Barrantes, residents of the affected dorms were informed of the construction before they registered for housing last year.

However, some residents do not remember being notified in advance, and believed that the construction would be over before fall quarter began.

"It has gone over deadline and it wakes me up in the morning, including Saturdays. They told us it would be done before this school year," said Roopa Gottimukkala, a community facilitator in Dunne.

Both Sugg and Barrantes assure students that the new commons building will be open this January and host classes for the winter quarter.

The new plan to landscape Alviso Street will create a space for residents to relax, said Barrantes. It will create an atmosphere that will encourage community and resemble the landscaping outside of Sobrato Hall.

However, some students are going to miss the former Kennedy mall, particularly the pagoda. The pagoda was a place where students living in Dunne, Swig, McLaughlin and Walsh often gathered with friends, according to sophomore Katie Ryan.

"I miss the pagoda because it was more of a natural community setting, whereas now it is forced and artificial, but I will give it a chance," she said.

The new commons building will function similarly to the existing commons building in Sobrato. Set in between Dunne, Swig, McLaughlin and Walsh, the new commons building will serve as an area for students to study and spend time with friends, as well as hold two classrooms and a grass area outside.

Contact Molly Leaverton at (408) 554-4546 or at mleaverton@scu.edu.