The administration deserves applause for conceiving and solidifying plans for the east campus athletic project. Many have complained of late about the load and schedule in the Mueller Center, Armory, and 87 Gym and the need for balance between athletic teams and other students. The new facilities will alleviate these problems and will help RPI in the long run.
With each incoming class come students who have greater diversity in their interests, and this new project, while still many years from completion, will definitely attract a more diverse student population like these. In addition, newer and better athletic facilities will draw better athletes, and a more prominent athletic program provides publicity, which will in turn draw more students and more funding to the school.
There have been many criticisms of the administration for not responding or being slow to respond to student concerns, but this is definitely a case where the administration deserves praise for recognizing a flaw on campus and speedily working to resolve it.
There are, however, some concerns that need to be addressed with the new proposal, as there should be with any project of this magnitude. For example, the plans feature a new football field; what is to be done with the 86 Field and the prime real estate it occupies when the new one is completed? Many students, faculty, and alumni would prefer that the 86 Field continue to be used for football, but if it is insufficient in the future then the existing space should be kept as an open field for student use.
In a similar vein, once the new facilities are built, will the campus be able to use three gymnasiums, three pools, etc.? If not, will the 87 Gym be retired and converted to classroom or other use? These are the type of questions that need to be answered.
The project concept looks great, but before the details are finalized, those who will be primarily using the facilities, namely the students, should be allowed to make suggestions. Keep the student body posted about the plans involved with this project. Although the facilities wont be ready and available to students until many years after the current freshmen class has graduated, the thoughts and ideas of the students on campus now will most likely mirror those of the students who will be attending RPI when the East Campus Athletic Village is open.
