University Star

Construction signs and wire fences around Texas State are now as iconic as the Bobcat statue near the bus loop. Even though construction on campus may appear to be an everlasting endeavor, it is critical to the continued growth of the campus.

As Texas State strives to improve the campus, the inconvenience of construction has gotten in the way of many students. Some students are forced to walk farther distances around construction sites to get to class. Others must give up on shortcuts and merge into the flowing mass of people in The Quad. Yet the construction of new projects around campus is good news because it points to a better and stronger future for the university.

Additionally, construction projects will help build the reputation of Texas State. New buildings, like the recently completed Undergraduate Academic Center, will increase the amount of classroom space. According to an Aug. 20 University Star article, the center now serves as the academic home for psychology, sociology and political science majors. Instead of being overcrowded in an older building, these three departments now have more classroom space and better facilities.

It is also compelling to have a university with up-to-date facilities. The Performing Arts Center Complex, which should be completed in September 2013, will give students a better venue to create and perform in quality productions. These new buildings will result in better educational opportunities and will complement Texas State’s recent classification as an emerging research institution.

The new structures are also bound to affect pride in the university. There is something about seeing new buildings rise up that signals the university is moving forward. Improving facilities, buildings and dorms could strengthen pride among students. Eating food at a deteriorated dining hall does nothing to encourage students to care about their new home. New construction, on the other hand, would present a sense of improvement and dedication to make students feel proud about the university.

Many students may graduate before much of the on-campus construction is completed. However, this should not create apathy or disdain for the current obstacles perpetrated by the construction projects. The new structures will likely help the university receive a better reputation. Students should consider the construction an investment for what their college diploma will be worth in the future.

For example, the reputation of the University of Texas is not the same today as it was in the 1970s. The university has grown since then to become one of the best-known public institutions in the country. In a similar manner, new construction will benefit Texas State alumni in the future by increasing the reputation of the university and the value of its degrees.

Shortcuts and easy routes to class have largely been blocked for the last two years. In many ways, the blockades around campus have been inopportune. However, it is important to remember that this new growth will have many positives aspects for Texas State and its students.