My political science teaching assistant once tried to tell his discussion section how to get to his office. It was somewhere in the depths of Perkins Library, and I believe the only notable landmark he cited was a vending machine.
Those who have seen the political science “offices” know they need a makeover, and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the political science department, Scott de Marchi, put it best when he said there has been a “long-standing push to get a gift to renovate the library.” The department has been spread out between the Old Chemistry building and Perkins Library, causing some confusion.
A move to the Gross Chemistry building, despite being off the main academic quad on West Campus, will at least bring the entire department under one roof, giving Duke political science a place to call their own rather than a sprawled area in the corners of the library.
At least, that would be rational. Although a move off of the main academic quad or the smaller offices may bring more public complaints, the real concern about this move is how illogical it is.
The first issue with this move is the aforementioned split of the department. The political science department has been sprawled out, with a majority of offices in “the heart of West Campus, in the Perkins building” (something the department’s website proudly proclaims) and other offices in Old Chemistry. This arrangement has been less than ideal, as it is awkward to not have an entire department under a unified location. This was mitigated by the fact that the two locations were relatively close to one another. It wasn’t ideal, but it wasn’t too terrible.
The idea that part of the department will be moved to Science Drive while another portion will remain on the Main Quad makes little sense. Instead of finding and fostering a sense of community within the department, it spreads out offices across campus. The best-case scenario is that the move does not create too-awkward a situation for the time being, and that in the future the entire department can be in a convenient and spacious location. The worst-case scenario is that the third-most-popular major in Trinity College will be relegated to shantytowns all over our campus. Maybe they can find a permanent residence in K-ville.
But more importantly is the lack of planning and vision shown by our University’s leaders during this move. If Professor de Marchi is correct and the idea of renovating Perkins Library has been planned for some time, then there is no reason for skepticism about any part of this move. If Provost Peter Lange and Executive Vice President Tallman Trask have been contemplating the decision to move the political science department as early as the beginning of Fall semester, this should be a “done deal” rather than something that is “likely.” Considering the Gross Chemistry building has not grown a wing since the beginning of this year and no new buildings have sprouted, it is unlikely that there were many options for the move.
Instead of making a concerted effort to remove doubt, Duke’s administration has found a way to make an uncomfortable and awkward situation much worse than it had to be.
This same lack of planning was seen during the West Union renovation ideas, when Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta said, “Ultimately we’ll have to seek new homes for the Mary Lou [Williams Center] and the LGBT center.” Two major student centers (and The Chronicle offices) will have to find new homes after the start of July 2013 renovations to West Union and 2015 renovations to the Flowers Building and Page Auditorium.
The problem isn’t with the moves, but rather with the uncertainty surrounding locations of major campus organizations. As Duke constantly renovates portions of its campus, it needs to create plans for the departments or associations that currently take up the space.
If the political science department does make the move to the Gross Chemistry building, it will be an awkward transition. Offices may be smaller and the space will be less convenient for students. But the political science department will have a home, rather than being stuck in purgatory with the Mary Lou Williams Center and the LGBT center.
Assurances are not enough, and promising better spaces or other improvements to different groups does not make up for the lack of vision in all of these plans. It is understandable that things must change and that places may have to be moved during times of renovation. Administrators who get paid to make sure these things run smoothly and that people are satisfied should be able to do the bare minimum and plan ahead.
Administrators need to start taking their jobs seriously, and stop leaving things up in the air. Students and professors deserve better. This University deserves better.
Antonio Segalini is a Trinity junior. His column runs every Wednesday.
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