By Melissa Boyd (Whetstone Staff Writer)

 

Malmberg Hall

Malmberg Hall

Thanks to a professor-led petition campaign, Malmberg Hall has new batteries for its clocks, new dry erasers for its white boards and clean ceiling tiles.

These changes were addressed after Dr. Elizabeth Siemanowski wrote a petition complaining to administration about the hall’s conditions, and 251 students signed it.

New batteries have been placed in all clocks and the furniture for Malmberg morning classes will be placed in correct order, with correct amount of desk and chairs by the night shift maintenance workers. New dry erase erasers have been provided, and maintenance now uses a cleaner that seals the surface of the white boards, making them cleaner without stains. Stained ceiling tiles have also been replaced.

“I am pleased to note that all the involved parties at Wesley have attempted to address the issues raised by our students,” she said. “I feel the students’ voices were heard and their concerns honored by many necessary actions.”

But there’s still plenty to do, she said, including reconfiguring the lights in MH112 and 114. If PowerPoints are used in the classroom, the problem remains that the room is too dark because of the available lighting in the classroom.

Siemanowski said dripping pipes might always be a problem because of the way Malmberg was constructed, especially during seasons where the air conditioner is needed.

“There is insufficient insulation around the air conditioning pipes and condensation produces dripping when the air conditioning is used,” she said.

Dr. Patricia Dwyer, academic dean, said she was happy with the changes.

“Rugs have been cleaned, clocks have been fixed, and ceiling tiles have been replaced,” she wrote in an email to faculty. “The noise factor in 114-115-116 is one of the biggest challenges. For those who have taught in 115 when there are other classes going on right next door, you know the level of distraction.”

All classes have been removed from MH 115 for the coming spring to stop the noise.

“This is a significant adjustment and one that will go a long way to improving the instructional climate in MH 114 and 116,” said Siemanowski in an email.

However, Siemanowski said the noise from the new Malmberg gym has not been addressed at all.

“There is not a whole lot we can do about the clanging weights in the center gym,” Dwyer said. “But at least this is a start.”

Siemanowski said the challenge now is to make sure the improvements are sustained.

One of the ways to sustain them, she said, is to create a website “solution center,” where anyone on campus may report problems to IT, maintenance or housekeeping.

“Everyone would be accountable for maintaining clean and functional facilities at Wesley,” she said.