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University Daily Kansan Monday, April 19, 1965
Guest Editorial
Stereophonic Campanile
I would like to endorse Chancellor Wescoe's commentary on the "New Fraser." I think it is an excellent representation of the University. It is, indeed, an imposing structure.
There has been, however, an undue amount of criticism of the design of the new building which will in all probability dominate the campus for the next 50-75 years, as "Old Fraser" has done for the past 80 years or so.
HAVING READ MOST OF THE COMMENTARY, I think it correct to say that most of the critics are attacking the non-utilitarian nature of the towers. It is unfortunate that the current theory by which architectural creations are judged, that every element of the design must serve a function, should have become so dogmatic as to deny a place to those elements which serve only to enhance the visual beauty, balance, and integration of the design, as the new towers are readily perceived to do by those of us who are able to free ourselves from the strictures of the contemporary dogma.
This dogma being so prevalent, however, perhaps it is fitting that the design of the building satisfy its tenets. I would like to offer a proposition by which the aesthetic qualities of the towers can be preserved and, I believe, the demand of the functionalists can be satisfied.
AFTER WRESTLING WITH THIS PROBLEM for some time, I first hit upon the idea that, by virtue of their ideal size and location, commanding the magnificent Kaw and Wakarusa Valleys, they would be best suited for lounges and rest rooms. However, both because the functional purists might complain on dogmatic grounds of convenience, and because certain cynies could be led to suggest that the Romanesque arches in the towers be replaced by crescent moon-shaped cutouts, I decided to drop this idea.
HOWEVER, THAT IS NOT TO REJECT the idea that the towers could be brought to serve a function. After considering several possibilities, I feel that the best thing to do with the towers would be to extend them upward to about twice their present height and fit them out with a set of bells. With this added facility, it would be possible to expand the program of instruction in carillon and perhaps even make such instruction a required study to fulfill distribution requirements, thus promoting the appreciation of music in the student body. Further, with separate keyboards for the Twin Campaniles, the University Community could be treated to carillon duets every Sunday. But, crowning glory of all, the Campaniles could be connected to a single keyboard, and, with a bank of computers coordinating them, the University of Kansas could be first in all the world to enjoy the magnificent sound of the Stereophonic Campanile!'
For your kind consideration of my proposal I thank you and remain
Sincerely yours,
Larry Hammond
Overland, Mo., senior
P. S. As per the suggestion of Chancellor Wescoe, an illustration of my proposed modification is enclosed.
The People Say...
Editor:
EDITOR.
"KU UNVEILS DETAILS FOR New Fraser." That was the Kansan's headline. I sincerely hope to head that the veils have been replaced.
Never in my four long years here at KU have I been prompted to express my feelings about an article in the Kansan. Congratulations! I'm prompted.
It's terrible. No, it's worse than terrible, it's Blake all over again. . . only this time with handles. It
just sits there like a faulty piece of granite knowing that Michelangelo had passed it by. Michelangelo? . . . What am I saying, Elmer Fudd would pass this one up.
In conclusion: don't put this mistake in stone. It's harder to erase.
Waverly, New York Senior
Dear Editor.
THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF critical comment about New Fraser recently, particularly its towers,
but I fear a great functional use for those towers has been overlooked. With only a minimum of expense, some appropriate group could purchase two mechanical men, one holding a FAIR sign, the other a FOUL sign, who could be automated so as to pop in or out of the towers, similar to some fancy swiss clocks, in order to indicate the weather.
David Leonard
Lawrence Freshman
"After All, We're Not Against Voting Rights In Principle一一Only in Practice"
Artistic Critics Rage
Most of the amateur architectural critics in the state have been heard from regarding the proposed outlines of the new Fraser Hall at the University of Kansas.
Almost to a man (or a woman), they have scored it bitterly as being an obnoxious blot on the landscape.
It used to be that the sovereign squats worried most about the cost of any new public structures. Those days have gone for the time being, however.
Now they demand Beauty-not just any old beauty combined with functional planning—but what meets with their idea of Beauty.
Chancellor Clarke Wescoe is a stubborn and courageous man. He seems unperturbed by what the wild waves are saying. He says there is little possibility of the plans being changed to suit the iconoclasts.
This deponent has taken no part in the imbroglio, having troubles of his own.
But the editorial writer for the Coffeyville Journal—one who says that as a K. U. graduate his feet once trod Fraser's creaky steps three times a week—takes a Warren Spahn windup and delivers the ball across the outside corner. This is his view:
Aside from that, he seems much entranced by the form and shape of the new structure.
We suppose there are self-appointed critics around Kansas who could change the contours and outlines of the Flint Hills—if they had a chance.
"The proposed building looks as if it were the result of a Kansas tornado which ripped the roof and twin towers from old Fraser and deposited them on a nearby National Guard armory."
So mote be!
The folks whose artistic taste has been rudely shocked will just have to grin and bear it.
(Reprinted from the April 6 issue of The El Dorado Times)
Se
BOOK REVIEWS
TREASURE ISLAND, by Robert Louis Stevenson (Signet, 50 cents)
—Here's one to get for your little brother for his birthday. First,
however, you should read it again yourself. Is there any doubt that
this is one of the greatest stories ever written? Now, about the plot—
you see, there's this boy, Jim Hawkins, who lives in an old inn with
his mother, and there's an old pirate who lives there, and a gang of
pirates comes and there's a map and a sailing ship and a ship's cook
named Long John Silver and Jim hides in an apple barrel and they
get to the island and there's a marooned sailor named Ben Gunn...
Dailij'lfänsan
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EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
By Larry Hammond Leta Roth and Gary Noland Co-Editorial Editors