With fall gently coming to a close and the colder more unforgiving winter months approaching, students at the University of Northern Colorado find themselves at a crossroads. As the culture of UNC has been changing over the past few months, so too have the student expectations of the university. If staff and overall size reduction has become the focus, in what other areas is the university overspending?
One major component of separation between the majors, is the buildings in which they will find themselves in over the course of obtaining their degree. But if we are to believe that favoritism is non-existent and equal opportunity is a goal, why do the buildings across campus differ so greatly?
While UNC strives to create a high quality student experience, the difference in building quality between majors has become a divisive issue. One of the stand out examples of this is the aesthetic quality of Kepner Hall in comparison to others such as Candelaria.
A quick walk around campus reveals nothing too spectacular about the buildings of UNC. Inherently modern in aesthetic, many are clad with open brick and concrete designs. The occasional outside decor or student drawings on the sidewalk add some flare here and there, but speaking generally these buildings draw little attention. That is until you step foot onto the business major side of campus.
Kepner Hall, home to the Monfort College of Business, is located on the northeast side of campus just next to Eighth Avenue. Surrounded by local restaurants and downtown businesses, the building is a clear standout. Large pillars and well kept greenery cover the buildings outside, not to mention a large grand staircase before the entrance. Clearly, it is a sight to behold.
The MCB is funded by a $10.5 million endowment from the Monfort family, the same family that owns the Colorado Rockies baseball team. One step into the building and you’re already greeted with decorum that looks like it should be in a museum rather than a university campus. Marble pillars, several floors, large plaques and nameplates for each office and even banners boasting several awards. Instantly, the setting feels so much different than anything else on campus.
Even the smaller details, like the lower floor for example, make a huge difference in the vibe that the building brings. The large open hallway that leads to a ping pong room and snack den, solidifies a much more laid back feeling. Despite this being a complete opposite aesthetic from the upper floors, it still highlights the amount of resources that the building offers to students.
Now compare this to Candelaria Hall, just a few minutes down the road on UNC’s west campus. Home to humanities and social science students, the building itself is responsible for a diverse culture of multiple areas of study. Yet, the outside of the building has been compared by many students to a bomb shelter. A flat stone exterior with the occasional lamp post here and there. To say there is an aesthetic difference between the two would be an understatement.
This creates a huge issue of interpretation as well as Candelaria houses a full broadcasting studio and advanced computer lab. Yet, from the outside an unassuming student would never guess otherwise. The MCB on the other hand immediately establishes a tone and credibility before someone even walks through the grand entrance.
This goes so much further than just the looks though, as there is a clear difference in feeling when looking at the two buildings. One feels much like a page right out of a typical college-oriented movie script. In fact, it feels just short of having some students sitting underneath the trees and studying. The other? A much more intimidating experience. Instead of inspiring creativity or motivation, it induces repetition and dread. I’m sure I don’t need to spell out which is which here.
It is easy to disregard the way a building looks as something minimal. You’re coming here to learn right? If you have the resources then where you are at shouldn’t make a difference. But as a student, walking around campus and seeing what other majors enjoy each day can induce a very disheartening feeling. There is a clear highlight of a disparity between the areas of study on campus, and it can be easy to feel jealous.
This is not to say we should point fingers or use this as an opportunity to create a further divide between the majors, far from it. Instead as a student population we need to ask ourselves what kinds of changes the university should make so every person has an engaging learning environment. Each major brings with it its own population of creative and driven students. Why should we let something like the building they study in be a representation of the majority? It is better to look inwards and recognize our own biases, and explore campus more thoroughly to understand one another better.
TJ Gurney is a journalism and media communications major at the University of Northern Colorado.
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