Constructing distractions

If you are a student at Portland State, chances are you have had a class in Neuberger Hall. And if you’ve had a class in Neuberger Hall recently, odds are you have heard the banging noises outside, or have had to chart new courses in order to navigate your way to class.

Even if you have not taken a class in Neuberger, whether you are a PSU student or even just a member of the general public, you have inevitably seen the construction on and around campus constantly digging, blocking and causing a ruckus.

There are days where it is extremely hard to even go to class, and with this construction going on, constantly putting pedestrians on detours, traveling to classes seems almost impossible. People are creatures of habit—they keep daily routines. But how can a routine be kept when routes are constantly changing?

Science Building 2 is one project on the long list of construction sites on campus. The point of this construction is to upgrade and expand the labs as well as create a new hazardous waste handling facility.

Lincoln Hall also continues to be worked on, as well as Millar Library. Work continues on the water heating and cooling systems extending from the library to Shattuck Hall.

Having an early morning class in Neuberger, is worse than any other early morning class elsewhere on campus. If the shaking of the building is not enough to deter you from your studies, the banging of who knows what sure will, especially early on a Friday morning attempting to take a test.

Although the construction appears to be something that needs to be done, the constant changing of places students and pedestrians can and cannot walk is getting ridiculous. With the routes changing, students are having issues getting to class on time and even finding the alternate routes.

It should be possible to give students notification of changing routes before they get there so that they can plan accordingly ahead of time. That way, students do not panic, and will have plenty of time to get to class.

In terms of the giant headache the construction is causing for anyone and everyone, students and faculty alike, there really is not much that can be done. If the construction is something that must be done, then students can do nothing to protect themselves against headaches other than stock up on Advil.

All students can do is really just sit, wait and adapt to the daily changing construction and disruptions of classes. Constant construction creates daily disruptions for everyone around the Portland State campus.

It seems like this construction is never-ending. When was the last time the Park Blocks, or even just campus in general, was completely free of  heavy machinery? When will this bout of upgrades, digging and building end? If there ever is an end to our campus construction, let’s just hope that it will all be worth it.