VP Says SHSU Not Anticipating Fall Housing Problem

Vice President for Enrollment Management Heather Thielemann is quoted in an Today@SAM article that during the fall 2006 semester, “the temporary closing of Belvin-Buchanan will account for the loss of 209 beds and the closing of Smith-Kirkley Hall will account for the loss of 500 beds; however, Raven Village’s opening will give the university 400 beds, and 200 beds in Smith Hall will be used in the event of an overflow of students wanting to live on campus.”

I guess I’m still at a loss at the fate of Smith-Kirkley. The university has already been given the okay to bring it to the ground yet it appears it will still be standing tall this autumn. Are they being intentionally vague about its fate?

Sam He Is

Sam Houston stands somewhere alongside Interstate 45, though I’m not sure where. I don’t think that was him hitchhiking on the side of the road – that guy was on the wrong side of the road. Maybe I already drove by him? Surely I could see his head above the tree line.

Nope. Stepping out from behind a grove of trees is General Houston. And I go zooming by. Finally there’s a place to turn around and we’re bumping along a two-lane road. And then suddenly, sticking out from trees is Sam’s backside.

I was at the ceremony in 1994 when the statue was unveiled and I don’t think I’ve been out there since. Therefore I really took in the area: the large face of Houston in the makeshift amphitheater, the commemorative plaque detailing the events of 1994, and the gift shop where you can buy souvenir canes to bash your opponents.

And that’s Huntsville for Sunday, March 12. The trip back was fine, though I must note both to and from Huntsville the roads were dotted with dead skunks. East Texas may have a shortage this year so watch where you drive. Perhaps I’ll be back next year for another visit.

Play Ball!

Let’s take in a game, shall we?

Leaving central campus and heading east to the athletic area brings up face to face with the Baseball and Softball complex. The new fields were completed late last year and have had many an eye on their construction. Today, eyes belong to both Bearkats and Lumberjacks with SFA in town for a game or two.

To get to the fields from the north parking lot you have to walk up some stairs. A lot of stairs. Finally at the top of the hill is the softball field, where a strange looking mannequin stands near the practice batter box. A strange hybrid of Whitesnake and Seven Mary Three jams across the air, as someone has decided spectators want this sort of high-energy music to bide their time.

The baseball field sits next door and was more abuzz of activity, if only that it appeared that game had already started. I don’t know – the security guy following me probably wondered what I was doing and I didn’t try to sneak in where I didn’t need to be.

However the fence leading into Bowers Stadium was open so I got a few shots of the inside of the stadium. The Rainbow Walker sculpture was glistening in the sun, providing an interesting shot looking back west toward the central campus.

The new strength & conditioning facility is still in its early skeletal stages but looks to possibly be completed in time for football this fall – or at least by year’s end.

Let’s head south briefly on I-45. Saying good-bye to campus for now – and driving past the eerily odd prison cemetery – it’s time for one last stop in Huntsville.

So Long Smith?

On the way back down the hill I pause and take a look at the Smith-Kirkley complex, as this should be - may be - its last semester on campus. Without sounding sappy or sentimental, this was home for my fours years in Huntsville – I even lucked out and lived there for orientation – and while my stay there a decade ago was decent, I’ve heard tales that it has slipped a star or two on the rating scale. Whatever the case, it worked for me – especially with the Communication Building across the street.

I missed the name but it looks like the old Kirkley cafeteria entrance had a sign for some Vice President's office. So who's this lucky soul?

Can’t wait to see what happens here.

The Bells Toll for Alumni

The Administration Building is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year – what is that, two sapphires? The impressive building’s century mark should be properly celebrated next decade.

To its east is the new crown jewel on campus – the bell tower. I’d seen pictures but it is a lot more imposing when you’re standing beneath it and looking dizzily into the bells above. As I’ve been wandering the campus this morning it hasn’t been hard to hear the sounds emanating from the heart of campus. Makes me wonder how the people living in nearby Smith Hall deal with noise. I guess that won’t be a problem for much longer.

I linger around to listen for some of the music played by the bell tower but I must admit I don’t recognize any of the tunes. Have you seen the playlist? The Alma Mater and Bearkat Fight Song are in rotation – but how many students know the songs? Maybe KSHU could sponsor a contest of sorts – correctly identify the tune the tower plays at 8:15 AM and win an autographed CD of some local band.

Around the Quad

The Peabody Library is SHSU's oldest surviving building – that is, the oldest building on campus built after the school was founded. It seems to rest peacefully knowing its reputation and existence are safe. Nearby is the footprint of the Main Building. And behind it is Austin Hall. Always a pleasure to see it still stands as a beacon of education. Since I have a decent camera, I photograph a couple close-ups shots of the autographed bricks. I never could bring myself to do that; still interesting however to see how old some of the graffiti is.

A quick stroll past the Thomason and Evans Buildings and then I stop for a few photographs of the Estill Building. Farrington is next door, currently going through some remodeling, I believe. I hope they keep the planetarium, as it provides plenty of fun at Farrington. Or so I'm told.

The Quadrangle

There isn't a lot of change that takes place on the quad – the grass gets mowed and leaves on trees reflect the season at hand. The nine buildings (or remnants) atop this hill are some of the university's oldest and best remembered and there's probably a reason why the area hasn't been a construction zone in ages. In fact, the Visitors Center that juts up between the Estill and Evans Buildings is probably the first real construction that's been seen here in twenty years – back when the Women's Gym and Education Building were razed.

We're going to walk counter clockwise around the quad, starting with the Communication Building. Always nice to see the secondary home – the place where me and countless other sometimes spent 20+ straight hours. Supposedly there is to be an addition to it in forthcoming years.

J-Walking

Now it's time to head up Avenue J. I know I used to walk this stretch daily when I was a student but for some reason – maybe the intelligence that comes with age – I decide to drive up the hill. I take pleasure in parking in the space marked specifically as a 15-minute unloading zone next to the Communication Building.

Did you know you could walk from the ground floor of the Communication Building to the third floor of the Drain Building without going up a single step? Yeah, a few of us discovered this trivial point a decade or so ago and while it involves a lot of zigging and zagging the landscape, it works. Maybe the people in wheelchairs would find this tidbit interesting.

Stay informed and impress your friends.

See You at the Crossroads

We're nearing the end of the tour – the historical quadrangle – in this spiraling jaunt of campus. A quick stop in the middle of the intersection of Seventeenth Street and Avenue J to take in a full 360 degrees: first, the Residence Life building sits quietly with a few cars out front. The massive parking garage looms over everything, still new enough to make the Recital Hall look worse off than it really is. I've always liked the Recital Hall, partly for Dr. Rex's History of Rock, Jazz and Popular Music course, partly for the kitschy atmosphere it gives off (the stained glass, the palm tree, the fact its survived this long...).

North of the Recital Hall is Sorority Hill – and I'm face-to-face with the dumpster and it hasn't been emptied yet. It's windier now than it was when I got to town and the smell carries.

A final stop in front of Elizabeth Elliott Hall for a few pictures of the circular porch. The smell carries far.

All Along the Avenues

On the south side of Estill are more dorms – Belvin, Buchanan and Elliott. These grand dames are the oldest permanent housing on campus and I hope they manage to stick around for a few more years. Well, except King Hall – I could go either way with it. But the other two are interesting architectural specimens of the 1930s and 1940s that should be preserved in some manner. I don't know how that's possible and perhaps progress will get the upper hand in the long run.

Two more small houses linger on the corner of Sixteenth and University Avenue. To the west is the Episcopal Student Center – the former residence of Harry Estill. I bet Estill never envisioned his house having a soda machine out front. I wonder if he would have liked Fresca?

The Wesley Foundation is due south and also starting to show its age a bit – not in a bad way.

Northside Moments

Hey, let's take a quick diversion and drive Avenue I north toward the prison. No, let's not and say we did. Back to Sixteenth Street. There's the Health Center. And behind it is Estill Hall. I've never really investigated this dorm and I've heard there is a pool out back. Let's check it out, shall we?

Estill is the elongated U-shaped women's dorm that was built in the 1960s. I know they remodeled the interior not long ago but the exterior looks somewhat worn in places. Maybe it's just the color of the bricks? Maybe it's just me?

Anyway, we're out back now. There's the pool. More of a cesspool. Thank goodness the new pool at the HKC is open.

Sorority Hill

These eight houses are the hardest to get pictures of, especially since there is no easy way to get a full head-on photograph of any of them. Except maybe from the roof...hmmm. Can I climb the narrow passage between them to the roof? I don't know. Let's not find out.

What happens if one of these sororities has more members than the house can hold? Is that even an issue? Does anyone care?

At the western edge of the hill is where I first caught wind of the Smell of the Day. Repugnant. Dirty. Soiled. I don't know what was in the dumpster at the foot of the hill on Avenue J and I don't want to know. But it came from somewhere within the sacks pilled in and all around the dumpster. Time to head back to the CJ center anyway. And what's this – class is being dismissed? I take a much-needed break in the car, sipping water and watching the twenty or so people disperse by car and truck and motorcycle.

On a Sunday?

Houses of the Holey

Since Avenue I is blocked off here I have to turn around. I stopped quickly to get a photograph of Randel House and noticed white dots on the front of the building. If you blur your eyes together it looks like they should form the letters ROTC. Perhaps another clue as to this house's former occupants?

And here's a serendipitous discovery: across from Randel House are a few makeshift cement stairs and the outline of what appears to be a foundation. There are some stones at the west edge of the line of cement. Makes me want to check out some of the older aerial photographs and see what building, if any, used to be in this parking lot. It probably was a residence. Perhaps I'm wrong. We'll see.

I need to come over some day when people are actually on campus and look inside AB4.

Now it's around to the eastern edge of campus – Avenue H. The Counselor Education Center is the addition to the Teacher Education Center. The library looks to have some parking lot resurfacing. The eastside power plant hums away. A quick left turn takes us up to the front door of the Criminal Justice center. I snap a few photos of it and start a walk toward the parking garage.

A Farewell to Frels

Around the corner we go – past the tennis courts and intramural field - to the HKC and the new recreational sports addition. Boy, that took forever to finish, didn't it? I'd been reading various comments on this one. Glad to know it's done – and I hope to the students' liking. On the south side is the pool: sparkling clear water today, stirred gently by the wind picking up.

A cool 78 degrees claims the marquee near the stadium.

From the HKC it's a quick drive toward the heart of campus and the parking lot between the Frels and Wilson buildings. Talk about remnants from a long ago era. The fact they were once apartments surely isn't lost on anyone and with them gone – as they should be soon – it will really open the mall area up. Does that mean the Post Office is being razed too? Haven't heard anything on it.

And from behind the Post Office comes the first sight – and sounds – of the new bell tower. Wow. Impressive. More on that later.

Raven Village

South on Avenue I is the newest construction zone: Raven Village. This is the third "village" to appear on campus, following the success of Bearkat and Sam Houston Villages. It replaces four small houses and family housing. On that note, one wonders if the families in Gintz were successful in finding housing elsewhere?

Raven Village looks impressive at this stage, which is good since it's supposed to be ready for residents this August. They'll make it.

I wonder what village comes next...and where?

Seven Small Houses

I've never liked the offset intersection at Twentieth Street and Avenue I. The Master Plan encourages the straightening of the road and I hope it’s soon.

Of course, to do such a thing means you're bound to loose some of the small houses. I never lived in one but I'd hate to see them all leveled. Vick, Adams and Allen Houses would seem to be the first demolished for such a road project. Adams House is currently undergoing internal remodeling to house campus offices – again. I peaked in the front door and you could definitely tell something was going on, what with all the cans of paint and tarps visible in the lobby.

The Visitors Center

Across Sam Houston Avenue we go and it’s time for a few pictures at the northwestern edge of campus, mainly of cornerstones and commemorative plaques. First, a clearer shot than last year's of the AB2 cornerstone and then one of a plaque commemorating the cleanup of the Halley Building. Hey, it's there – why not?

I wonder what used to be in the building where the LDS Student Center is now?

This is University Avenue and at the southern end is the new Visitors Center. The road narrows on the western side of the construction zone and you can still squeak by but you’ll want to take it fairly slow. Everything looks good and I'm anxious to see how it fits in with the Estill Building. It does appear somewhat hidden behind the trees if you look up from Sam Houston Avenue but that’s probably just me. The Physical Plant website indicates major construction should be done by next month. If not, I say surely by the start of summer.

The Estill parking lot has a few cars in it, most parked as close to AB3 as possible. I wonder who's working today?

I get the impression AB3 is on the way out soon. It's had an interesting and varied history on campus. I wonder what will replace it? Of course, the dance program has got to be relocated first and that means a Performing Arts Center is required.

Across the street is the new science building - its asymmetrical design is an attention grabber. It’s another great addition to the campus skyline and I like its location.

Out and About

Shortcut through the neighborhoods over to Nineteenth Street. First stop on the photo tour is the Walker Education Center. It seems void of activity, as one would expect this early on a Sunday. The Pritchett Field complex is the complete opposite. A handful of people are walking the track and a few other pedestrians are out on a mid-morning stroll. Rounding the corner onto Seventeenth, I see a few people on the old football field. Nothing else that interesting to note. The four small houses still stand.

A quick stop at the Catholic Student Center to grab a few photos of the small statue of Christ out front. Bonus pix – the small plaque at the base of the statue gives some additional information. Too bad the plaque is not fastened to anything.

Fields of Dreams

Swing over to the other side of the interstate and onto the old College Farm Road – essentially Avenue M. The softball field is still there – empty. Holleman Field is much the same. It’s probably the first time in decades there hasn't been any regularly scheduled games in the ballpark. This part of campus, more so this part of Huntsville, is not going to be seeing the same springtime activity it has seen in the past, what with the new baseball and softball fields open for business on the other side of campus.

And when you're in the neighborhood, you always want to look toward the site of the old Malone Apartments. Gee, I'm glad those things are gone.

Chip Shot off the Old Brick

From there it was south on the access road. Ahead is the Raven Nest golf course and I must admit, I had to frown just a bit. Not that there's a golf course, mind you. It's what happened there back shortly before I graduated - long before the golf course was there.

It was a warm spring day sometime in 1998 – March or April I would guess – and classes were done for the day at the Communication Building. I went downstairs to KSHU to sit out "office hours," an hour or so of answering questions, listening to the air checks and gabbing it up with other student management. My colleagues knew of the "little history project" and asked me how things were. Slow. Development stages. Weak excuses mainly. Somehow in the midst of this, a woman on the radio staff stopped in. She was older than most of us, having attended SHSU in the early 80s or so and was back to work on another degree. When she found out I was involved with a campus history project she asked a very interesting question of us: "Well, you know what they did with the bricks from Old Main, don't you?"

Admittedly, the thought hadn't really crossed my mind. I assumed after the fire they were hauled away – after students grabbed a memento or two. Yes, she said, people took some of the bricks but the leftovers were dumped across from the agriculture complex along the interstate.

It didn't take long for me to figure out that a nice graduation gift for myself would be to have a brick of the Main Building. Another guy in the office said he wanted one too. Office hours suddenly ended. We headed for my car behind Smith Hall. Along the way we picked up two more people, easily persuaded with the question, "Hey, you wanna brick from Old Main? Yeah, we're goin' to go get one."

The drive was painlessly short. I parked at the gate alongside the access road, across the highway from Ag complex. Not knowing why the gate was open, and more so, unsure when or if it would close, one of the guys stood guard while the other three rode into the field.

The field was green but spotted with clods of packed dirt, sod and numerous rocks ranging in size from the puny pebbles to large mounds that hit the underside of the car with worrisome metallic dings. We jumped and jolted around in the car for maybe a half mile before the dirt track faded into nothing. There were found our bricks.

While we all had grand visions of a weed-infested pile of broken bricks of which we could help ourselves, what we found was the opposite. We found bricks – long ago flattened into the dirty track. We were going to need some sort of heavy digging equipment to salvage anything. We looked at each other dumb-founded but laughed it off – still I think we all wanted to come back with some sort of prize.

I wondered, seeing the golf course in action, if the bricks were still there and if anyone knew of their supposed significance.

Spring Break Sunday

It's my second annual Spring Break Sunday at SHSU - with most everyone out of the way, I can head to Huntsville and have a blank canvas (and campus) for photographing buildings and whatever else without extra distractions. Of course, this does prevent me from going inside anything but I guess it will have to do.

I hit Huntsville around 10 AM and after a three-hour tour from Austin one needs the obligatory pit stop. Stopped in at Conglomerate-Mart and noticed how much the interior of it had changed since I was there last – 8 years maybe? I dunno. Who cares?

President's Update

A few odds and ends from SHSU President Jim Gaertner:

The regents have already given us the approval to remove the Frels and Wilson complex, which is being used for offices, and the Smith-Kirkley residence hall. When we decide to do so, it will be the first step in a series of moves that will give us additional office and classroom space.

The Frels-Wilson removal will allow us to expand and consolidate the present mall/commons area, which will greatly add to the beauty of our already-magnificent campus.

A key element in that series of steps will be construction of an estimated $30 million Academic Building V. It is currently planned for the area south of the Smith-Hutson addition and east of the Lee Drain Building.

While the timelines for these projects have not been set, we hope to have sufficient planning completed to present the ABV project for board approval at their May board meeting, and to proceed with first approval for a new dining facility in August or November.

In our somewhat more distant facility plans are projects that will be of great benefit to our academic capability.

We are continuing to work toward a new performing arts building to provide space and facilities for music, theater, and dance. These programs have been attracting national attention and credit, and as a result are of interest to a growing number of area, state, and national students.

This facility will include classrooms, practice rooms, and recital and concert halls. The discussions of what we would like in such a facility, and what we can realistically afford, are continuing.

Another project that we are planning will be an expansion of the Criminal Justice Center, which was built by inmate labor some 30 years ago at a bargain price to the state and nation, but which is now operating at full capacity.

The Criminal Justice program has brought more national and international attention to Sam Houston State University in its relatively short period of existence than any other on our campus. We are committed to maintaining its reputation for service and preeminence in its field, and having a quality facility is a key to that goal.