Library balconies enclosed for protection

By Brittany Benjamin

All outdoor library terraces will soon be enclosed by glass, according to Joe Sugg, assistant vice president of university operations.

While there is no definitive installation date, the glass panels are estimated to be installed later in the fall or during winter break, Sugg said.

One at a time, all three of the third-floor terraces will be partially glass paneled.

The enclosures come just months after a glass pyramid was erected over the opening in the Saint Clare Terrace, a third-floor balcony overlooking the main entrance to Harrington Learning Commons.

The pyramid was installed over the opening for "safety issues," Sugg said.

Sugg said the opening was covered to prevent objects from falling or being thrown over the side and to avert people from falling.

"I think for safety reasons they should rethink it, but it's nice to have a variety of study spaces," said junior Maxine DeVincenzi.

It has been over a year since first-year law student Timothy Pramer died after falling from the balcony in August of 2008. The Saint Clare Terrace was closed indefinitely following his death. It will remain closed until the enclosure is completed.

Suffering blunt trauma to the head and chest, Pramer's death was ruled a suicide, according to a spokesperson for the County of Santa Clara Medical Examiner and Coroner's Office.

"I think they should trust people. They make it sound like we're children," said Melanie Gilmant, an exchange student from France. "I think this one person is the exception and I think if you want to end your life, you'll find a way to do it anyways."

To explain the pyramids covering, Sugg said, "The only thing I can say is that it's a good idea that we did it. I can't explain why we did it the way we did, it was just the decision we made at the time."

The pyramid, designed by Brent Downing of Devcon Consturction Inc., was fabricated at Walters and Wolf Glass Company and assembled on campus. The terrace panels are in the fabrication process now.

"Brent did a great job," Sugg said of the pyramid. "If you were a freshman, you wouldn't know it was an add on."

Contact Brittany Benjamin at (408) 554- 4546 or brbenjamin@scu.edu.