Spring Break
Fountain of expenses
Are university funds being spent unnecessarily?
Jason M. Wallace
Issue date: 4/14/09 Section: Opinion
I have been attending classes at ECU for four years now, and due to my schedule, there has rarely been a day when I have not walked from the Fletcher music building to West End Dining Hall. Besides a few newly added trees to the Mall and a new parking lot near the Financial Aid Building, nothing has drastically changed near central campus until the installation of the Trustees' Fountain in front of Wright Auditorium. With all of the needed upgrades that have been mentioned on ECU's Top Ten Capital Needs, this aesthetically pleasing fixture is an eye sore on the budget.
Many building projects, whether they are large or small, tend to go over the predicted budget. However, the fall 2008 edition of East magazine reported the fountain would cost $600,000. The final price tag totaled $1.18 million. Over the past few months, the main page of ECU's Web site has had report after report about the economy and budget crises. While national news reports frequently broadcasting the failing economy and job layoffs in the past few months, it is not breaking news.
This being said, it should have been common sense that the Trustees' Fountain could have been postponed until later when money for visual accessories was more readily available.
The fountain was rebuilt in order to restore an important symbol of ECU. The old fountain gracefully pumped many gallons of water for many years until a sinkhole damaged the pipes. Now, when the faculty faces layoffs, what will this new fountain represent as the university loses professors who mean more to the future of the students?
The average salary of professors at ECU as of fall 2008 is $94,900. The money used to renovate the fountain could have covered 12 average yearly salaries.
Since I have been attending classes here, I do think that ECU has spent its money wisely in a few different areas. Belk Residence Hall has recently received air conditioning units in all of its rooms, which is undoubtedly a great relief to the students that live there.
Many building projects, whether they are large or small, tend to go over the predicted budget. However, the fall 2008 edition of East magazine reported the fountain would cost $600,000. The final price tag totaled $1.18 million. Over the past few months, the main page of ECU's Web site has had report after report about the economy and budget crises. While national news reports frequently broadcasting the failing economy and job layoffs in the past few months, it is not breaking news.
This being said, it should have been common sense that the Trustees' Fountain could have been postponed until later when money for visual accessories was more readily available.
The fountain was rebuilt in order to restore an important symbol of ECU. The old fountain gracefully pumped many gallons of water for many years until a sinkhole damaged the pipes. Now, when the faculty faces layoffs, what will this new fountain represent as the university loses professors who mean more to the future of the students?
The average salary of professors at ECU as of fall 2008 is $94,900. The money used to renovate the fountain could have covered 12 average yearly salaries.
Since I have been attending classes here, I do think that ECU has spent its money wisely in a few different areas. Belk Residence Hall has recently received air conditioning units in all of its rooms, which is undoubtedly a great relief to the students that live there.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 9
Ryan
posted 4/14/09 @ 12:20 AM EST
You do know that all the money that went into the fountain was earmarked for it?
The people donated the money specifically for the fountain so if the money COULD NOT be used anywhere else. (Continued…)
Anarchist
posted 4/14/09 @ 3:24 AM EST
Even though the money was "earmarked"Continued…)
the undertaker
posted 4/14/09 @ 10:03 AM EST
First of all, the fountain wasn't paid for with students fees- it was a project funded entirely by the Board of Trustees. It has been a project that has been worked on since 2004, which is before the crisis that we face economically. (Continued…)
James
posted 4/14/09 @ 10:29 AM EST
This opinion article is the absolute biggest piece of nonsense I've ever read.
Public institutions such as ECU have three main income streams. They include state appropriations, monetary gifts from graduates, and tuition and fees from students. (Continued…)
TEC Opinion Writers are Retards
posted 4/14/09 @ 2:05 PM EST
I'm looking at you, Jason Wallace, Lara Oliver, Lauren Collins, Andrea Robertson, et al. Paul Hawkins gets a miss for being new and a conservative, so there was little hope for him from the beginning. (Continued…)
Kyle
posted 4/14/09 @ 5:37 PM EST
Wow. Anybody can complain about something...
You know, I seem to remember seeing something like TEC needs opinion writers. Maybe all you complainers could lend your hand?
I think the point is that a lot of money went towards something that really doesn't serve any function. (Continued…)
Kyle, what don't you understand
posted 4/14/09 @ 6:18 PM EST
No.
Professors.
Lost.
Their.
Jobs.
Because.
Of.
Fountain.
Funds.
None. Not one. The money could either be used for a fountain or it could remain in the pockets of those that gave it. (Continued…)
Ryan
posted 4/14/09 @ 7:49 PM EST
The thing is, I have no Car and for some damn reason the TEC offices are off campus near the courthouse. How is a perspective worker without a car suppose to get there to work? I would gladly apply for a job, then use all my sources available to be to write factful articles. (Continued…)
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