Originally published February 18, 1999
by Adam Zurn

It would appear that Millersville has its priorities backwards. The powers that be seem solely concerned with outward appearances while internal conditions have been left to deteriorate.

Unless you walk around campus with your eyes closed, you've probably noticed the new copper eaves troughs on Biemesderfer. Nice aren't they (expensive too, I bet)? What was wrong with the old ones? They oxidized and didn't look pretty anymore. Can't have things not looking pretty because what would those Millersville hopefuls think when they come for a tour?

Elsewhere on campus in the warm month of February the maintenance staff is busy planting new shrubbery because we all know that February is prime planting season. Don't want any leaves laying on the ground during the fall months either because that's an eye sore for sure. While they're at it, they might as well put down some sod in the places where the grass is worn. Again, that would be an eye sore and what would those admission students think about the Ville?

First impressions are important. Millersville wants this place's appearance to be top-notch. The thinking is that if we distract the students with the beauty of the pond, they'll never notice the rotting shower over in Landes. I have a feeling that those showers never make the guided tour.

In the grand scheme of things, new copper rain pipes and freshly planted shrubbery pales in comparison to necessities like showers. The shower problem isn't new to the residences of Landes. In fact, it's been that way for 18 months and still counting. That's more than enough time to fix it.

But who cares? By the time the students learn of the problem, the University has their money. The University says that they're addressing the problem and have no intention of letting it go until the planned renovation of the building into the new education center, but we all know that actions speak louder than words. And these actions are screaming!

They're screaming that the University is more concerned with outward appearances, looking good for the public and alumni while the poor students trapped here are forced to suffer. You could beat even money that if President Caputo had a similar problem in his home or Biemesderfer that it would be fixed almost immediately.

Yet the school speaks of red tape and getting the lowest bid. Maybe that's the problem, low bid can equal low quality. Can't go wrong with Nobody & Son plumbing and dead animal removal. Real problems call for high quality professionals to fix them!

The University has broken its housing agreement with the students of Landes by providing them with substandard housing. The University owes these students repaired showers, an apology for their tardiness and laziness on the matter, and maybe-just maybe a partial housing refund for the unacceptable state of affairs.

It's time to be concerned with the internal as well as the external at Millersville. When it comes to new grass and shrubbery, I'm sure Mother Nature will take care of things. However, when it comes to plumbing, we need the administration to seriously get on task. These problems don't call for subcommittees; they demand someone making a call to someone who can fix the problem.

To all of the residences of Landes, if you find your showers not up to par, perhaps President Caputo would be willing to share his with you. He doesn't live far away, and, maybe then, he'll see how much of an inconvenience this has been for everyone!

-- Afterward --
This commentary helped to prove the power of the pen and the press. Two weeks after this column was published the University fired the old plumbing company and hired a new one. The showers were repaired shortly after. In addition, the University donated an $1,000 to the dorm for throwing a party with the University's apologies for the massive inconvenience.