MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1949
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
PAGE SEVEN
An early sketch of a proposed structure to house the physics, chemistry and mathematics departments at the University of Kansas is shown above. The board of regents has approved the science building
for the three related departments because of present crowded conditions in Blake hall, which contains the physics department; Bailey laboratories, where the chemistry department is located; and Frank
Strong hall, where mathematics classes meet.
to appropriate funds for the proposed science building. Preliminary plans outline that the proposed building be built northwest from Marvin hall. Marvin hall contains the School of Engineering and Architecture.
Blake was completed in 1895 and Bailey in 1900 when the student enrollment at KU, was much less than today. The legislature is being asked
Dean Stouffer Describes Halls As Inadequate
The rooms in Frank Strong hall used by the School of Fine Arts are needed for other departments," he said. The sociology department, for example, is housed in the temporary annexes behind Frank Strong hall.
The University's large enrollment, which evidently will continue, requires that new buildings be constructed. Ellis B. Stouffer, dean of the University and professor of mathematics, thus explained the need for both a fine arts building and a science building.
"The studios and practice rooms now in use are inadequate in number as well as character," Dean Stouffer explained.
Students and teachers in the fields of mathematics, chemistry, physics, and pharmacy are handicapped with inadequate facilities, Dean Stouffer pointed out.
"Bailey hall, erected in 1900, and Blake hall, built in 1895, are inadequate in every way." Dean Stoufler remarked. Advanced students, especially, need much more laboratory space than is now available.
"Mathematics should be housed with physics and chemistry because of the developing interrelation between them," Dean Stouffer continued. A common library is needed as well as more office space for student-faculty conferences.
Chemistry Laboratories Lack Rooms, Ventilation
Bailey Chemical laboratories, which houses the chemistry and pharmacy departments of the University, has been nicknamed "Old Bailey," by students forced to use the lecture rooms and laboratory facilities of the building.
The title was bestowed in honor of the London prison of that name famed in a bygone era for injustice and discomfort.
The building has long been inadequate for the number of students working in it. The cramped conditions are emphasized especially in the closet-sized offices and crowded laboratories. The floors have a rubber-like spring from years of pressure.
Dowin E. Lewis, engineering sophomore explained, "Bailey is a fire hazard. The floors are soaked with chemicals and fire would spread rapidly."
Thomas K. Foster, engineering sophomore said, "The floors leak and the boys in the bottom lab get all the drippings from the top floors."
Robert Cebula, College junior, remarked, "Nothing much wrong with the dilapidated place except that the floors are about to give in and the 'ceilings leak water and other substances that reck!"
Ventilation in the building, especially in the laboratories, is almost non-existent. The hoods which are connected to the many chimneys lining the roof of Bailey do not have blowers which would make them function efficiently. On Feb. 17 the temperature in the organic chemistry laboratory was exactly 100 degrees. Windows cannot be opened because the Bunsen burners will not operate properly in a draft. The odors accompanying such a situation need no description to the workers themselves or students who pass the building daily. The inadequacy of classroom and lab facilities is a real problem to the students.
Richard A. Minuet, chemical engineering sophomore said, "Right now we are working two and three persons a desk. Handling corrosive chemicals with the chance of being elbowed by your neighbor is not the most desirable way to learn chemistry."
Francis Douglas, College junior,
added, "Clouded fumes and crowded classrooms, poor equipment and inadequate facilities do not promote learning to the fullest extent."
Tom Fritzlen, College junior. "Because of poor acoustics, I had difficulty in hearing lectures in the main lecture hall if I sat more than four rows from the speaker. The equipment, especially the desks and plumbing, are in serious need of repair. Also, unless I come early there is no seating space in organic chemistry lecture."
Courses Explained To Math Club
Ormond Gillen, engineering sophomore, affirmed, "The need for more complete labs along with accessible storerooms is in my estimation the greatest need at this time."
Also, the acoustics in the crowded lecture rooms are faulty.
Now requirements for students majoring in physical or social science and minoring in mathematics were explained at the Mathematics club Thursday.
Thursday.
Schedules were suggested for prospective teachers, professional mathematicians, and students desiring a liberal education. Students who will have a schedule with emphasis on social science, may now take economics, sociology, and psychology. Statistics I and II. Price and Income 95, and Mathematical Theory of Investment 10, will be offered as an aid to the major subjects of mathematics.
Gilbert Ulmer, assistant dean of the College and associate professor of mathematics, explained that the curriculum for teachers will allow a student to take either Projective Geometry 159 or Modern Synthetic Geometry 154 in the junior year. In the senior year Descriptive Astronomy 12, General Astronomy 13, or Elementary Statistics 125 may be taken.
University Press Needs Space, Ryther Says
Fifty per cent more working room is needed by the University Press to handle University printing efficiently. T.C.Ryther,press superintendant said today.
"We haven't had an increase in space in 30 years," he said. "Yet our printing load has steadily increased. In 1943, five hours and one 600-pound roll of paper each week were enough to print the Daily Kansan. Now it takes three hours and a roll of newsprint every day, or 15 hours and 5 rolls a week."
Mr. Rythner added that present facilities in the Journalism building basement are inadequate for publishing the University Daily Kansan, and the pamphlets, magazines, and educational material required by schools and departments of the University.
The press superintendent added that the University Press' 44-man staff, half of them part-time student employees, are crowded into a space too small for top efficiency. As an example of over-crowded conditions, he pointed to the accounting department.
Storage space is also needed. Mr. Rythner said. He explained that present space in the Journalism building will hold only 18 rolls of newspaper. "Slick" paper for books and magazines is stored in Hoch auditorium basement.
"While the work of this department has tripped, its office space has been cut in half," he said.
we just don't have enough space for everything. Mr. Ryder sighed.
"Using Hoch has been a headache," he said. "Not only does this arrangement cause delays and make extra handling of paper stock necessary, but it means we can't buy enough stock at one time to get the lowest market price on paper."
Other problems of the University Press include finding room for the stenographic bureau, the bindery, and new machinery.
Chemistry Building Needed For Research Development
The chemistry department of the University "must have a new building if it is to share in the scientific development" programs with the other states," according to Dr. Ray Q. Brewster, professor of chemistry.
When Bailey hall, the chemistry building, was built in 1000 the enrollment in chemistry was about 200. In 1946, a total of 2,315 freshmen were enrolled in chemistry. Dr. Brewster pointed out that the classrooms have neither increased in size nor in number since that time, although the classes had.
"The National Science bill which will release federal funds for scientific research will do us no good unless we have a building in which to carry on the research," Dr. Brewster said.
He explained that developments during World War II have opened wide fields for chemical research. The science of the radioactivity of the elements, synthetic medicine and fabrics, insecticides, and weed killers
like 2. 4-D,are just a part.
"There are no ventilating systems;" he added. "Whenever one gets a smell he doesn't like, he just has to bear with it, and feel sorry for the one who can't enjoy such blessings."
With these new areas to be explored, the need for more space and equipment is imperative. Dr. Brewster believes. He added that he thought the department is fairly well equipped with the basic chemical and glassware needs of the student.
Dr. Brewster recalled that Dr. F. H. Snow, the man for whom Snow hall is named, was the original "science man" of old North college. He was the only lecturer for the few science students during the early years of the University. From that beginning has come a staff of 12 full time faculty men and 46 assistant instructors who have taught as many as 2,300 students in a semester, Dr Brewster said.
Eight Student Council Members Say That More Buildings Are Necessary
Eight representatives of the All Student Council agree that more buildings are necessary. Five limit their approval to specific buildings.
Dorothy Scroggy, A.S.C. secretary and College senior: "Yes, I believe there is a need for more buildings. The temporary buildings should be replaced as soon as possible."
Elizabeth Webster, business senior: "It's a tragedy to attend basketball games in Hoch auditorium, but other buildings should be constructed first. The Corbin annex is needed. In fact, more dormitories should be built if money is available."
Aldo Aliotti, graduate student: "The most important need is for a new chemistry building."
Dolores Hausermann, College freshman; "They all sound good, especially the science building. The Union also is crowded."
Wilma Shore, College sophomore: "I believe each school needs its own buildings. A men's dormitory would help independent men form an organization similar to the Associated Women Students. That is, independent men would have a centralization point."
Floyd Thuston, education senior: "The School of Fine Arts has a pressing need for more room."
Doris Tihen, College junior: "There is a need for a new science building."
Robert Bennett, College junior: "Anyone who regularly visits the Union must know the refreshment facilities and office space is insufficient."