Effective Friday, administrators at the College of Visual and Performing Arts cut the hours students could access The Warehouse.

The Warehouse was previously open 24/7 to design students, who use the space to complete assignments. The building is now closed from midnight until 6 a.m. Students received an email Jan. 23 notifying them of the change, which went into effect a few days later.

The email said the change was made in response to illegal and inappropriate behavior in the building, including urinating in garbage cans, stealing equipment and drinking alcohol in the building.

VPA administrators did not act appropriately in how they took the space from the students. The students were not involved in the decision and were not given a warning before the space was revoked during night hours. If students had been given a warning, the inappropriate activity may have decreased on its own. Instead of closing the space off, increasing building security may have stopped students from taking part in illegal activity.

Although the students who misused the space should be punished for their actions, it is unfair to revoke privileges from all the students. Not all students disrespect the space. Students are expected to use the space to complete class assignments. Other space on campus is not as useful for VPA students because they do not offer the same resources. By closing the building, the school is taking away six hours from students, and as college students, a lot can be accomplished between midnight and 6 a.m.

The 21 students who met last week in The Warehouse Auditorium to discuss how to act against this should be applauded for their civilized response. By forming a letter to submit to administrators and attempting to set up a meeting between representatives and administrators, the students are showing they can be mature and that they care about the space.

VPA administrators and students must work together to find a better solution to this. Students should be allowed to use the space to work, but they should not be allowed to disrespect the space.

Published on January 30, 2012 at 12:00 pm

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