By Sage Tokach, Staff Writer
The awning on the southwest corner of the Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center began to droop last week to the point that it became dangerous to students.
“I noticed the concrete bowing above my head as I went into Alvin’s last Tuesday,” said Shannon Beshears, dance performance sophomore.
Beshears said she notified university officials who informed facilities workers about the issue. Construction began the next day to repair the problem.
Beshears and the staff in the student involvement office were unsure of the source that caused the bowing of the building, but they know the center has not been renovated since 2000.
Workers began by blocking off the space underneath the awning, as well as the table and chairs in the area inside the university center with caution tape. They then brought in ladders, trucks and the concrete plaster mixture used to repair the damage. The awning was repaired in less than a week.
“The university usually works with professional contractors for this type of issue,” said Lavetra Ray, assistant director of student life. “In this case, though, the facilities staff was extremely fast about getting the debris down and fixing the problem.”
Ray said the issue became a priority due to student safety and university appearance for Stars 101, a day of orientation for potential and incoming students.
She assures students that all structural concerns were repaired.
Facilities workers plan to finish the cosmetic damage soon, weather permitting.
In the meantime, officials said students are safe in that area of campus.
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