State helps pay for new signs |
Christy Hatcher |
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State funds totaling $250,000 aided the construction of the three new electronic signs that welcome visitors and affiliates to SIUE. The project to fund the signs began in the fall of 1999 when Sen. Evelyn Bowles, D-Edwardsville, was approached with the idea and submitted an application. The money was eventually included in the state budget approved by Gov. George Ryan. Bowles felt SIUE needed the technological upgrade from the wooden signs and wanted to help as much as possible. "SIUE is in my district and I am very, very proud to have represented such an excellent college. I feel that those wooden signs were just awful and these new signs really speak to people," Bowles said. The purpose of the signs is to inform students and visitors of the events taking place on campus in areas such as sports, visual and performing arts, activities, speakers and conventions. SIUE students, however, have varying opinions of the signs. "I think that they're a fresh touch to the university," junior S.J. Morrison said. "[The signs] are a complete waste of money," student Jeff Thole said. "The school won't even pay for uniforms or ice time for the hockey team. I just think they need to fund the organizations before funding advertising for them." Katie Pelfrey, another SIUE student, said she likes the signs. "I live half an hour from campus, and I think that they're very helpful. They tell me what's going on in the [University Center] and stuff," Pelfrey said. Bowles made note that one of the purposes of the signs was to draw attention to SIUE and, according to students, this attempt for more publicity was effective. Bowles said she also feels that the signs complement the architectural designs of brick and limestone laced throughout the structural configurations within the campus and are a wonderful addition to the university. | |