HERE AT the University things tend to go smoothly. With a healthy budget, a concerned administration, and dedicated students, problems are often quickly identified and addressed. We pride ourselves on our beautiful, pristine campus - this is evident in the care devoted to the Lawn and, lately, in the repainting of the colonnaded walkway behind the amphitheater. One might even say that here at the University things run like clockwork - except for the clocks themselves!
Currently, the clocks around Grounds are in rather dire straits. Many classroom clocks - particularly those in Maury Hall - lost touch with reality long ago and have been broadcasting the incorrect time for weeks. These clocks are of vital importance to students and faculty alike. Fundamentally, they should be used so that everyone knows when class should start and conclude. No professor likes to be interrupted by students trudging into class "tardy" and few students enjoy thus disrespecting a professor. If professors start class at a common time, then this problem would be reduced.
Just as important is for classes to end on time. Students need to be released so that they can make it to their next class on time and avoid interrupting the next lecture. Many of us have been in the uncomfortable position of "speed-walking" or even jogging to a class, because we were released late. Having a functioning clock in each classroom also eliminates the need for antsy students to frequently check their watches - a habit that most professors find annoying.
The basic question is: Why do we have all these clocks in classrooms? Few would argue that they serve some aesthetic purpose; almost everybody would agree that they're probably intended to be functional. Well this begs the follow-up question: Why aren't they functioning?
To have non-functioning clocks around Grounds serves no purpose. They can't be used to tell time - if someone tries they will usually be misled - and they don't contribute to any atmosphere. This problem is not restricted just to classroom clocks.
The most egregious non-functioning clock on Grounds would be the one on the back of Cocke Hall. This clock is prominently featured on Grounds, as the only visible timepiece from all around the amphitheater. However, since at least as far back as last fall, this clock has proudly proclaimed to any and all observers that the time is a few minutes before 1:00. This is perfectly useful to all passersby - for about one minute a day. The rest of the time onlookers can range from oblivious to amused, and sometimes even panicked. Some students have even jogged down the colonnaded walkway at 12:50, because they thought they were going to be quite late for a 1:00 class or meeting.
Last year, for a few weeks, the Rotunda clock - the most prominent one on the whole Lawn - drifted off by ten or 15 minutes. Thankfully, this most visible clock was properly fixed soon afterwards.
Individual confusion aside, it is just embarrassing for the University to have all these non-functioning clocks around Grounds. We should - and usually do - take pride in our beautiful campus. But this is something that we should not tolerate.
The defective clocks give off a bad impression of the University to all visitors and make it hard to take ourselves seriously. What would a prospective student think? What might a prospective financial donor think? Even the thought that some prospective student or potential donor might receive a less favorable impression of our University as a result of defective clocks should cause us all to shudder.
It is important to rectify this problem and to do it soon. The onus of this falls on the University itself. It is important to remember that you, my fellow student, professor, administrator or employee, are an important part of the University. These clocks won't fix themselves and the proper personnel often won't notice the ineffective clocks on their own. You can notify them that a clock is incorrect or broken.
Unfortunately, under the current system, students can't file work orders unless they are willing to pay themselves, and clearly no student would want to do such a thing. One must have an account or charge number in order to file a work order, according to the Office of Facilities and Management. Administrators and professors are able to obtain such charge numbers from their departments; they ought to do so.
For students, however, there is still recourse. You can alert your professors to non-functioning clocks and encourage them to file a work order. Better yet, you can contact Facilities Management (e-mail their service rep at: bjh3c@virginia.edu or phone maintenance at 924-1777) and let them know about any needed repairs. That's what I did regarding the Cocke Hall clock. I urge you to do the same.
(Benjamin Grosz is a Cavalier Daily viewpoint writer.)
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