A juicy class project
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ORANGE JOURNALISM A juicy class project |
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A closer look might enable one to spot a small stone or wooden piece that reminiscent's a person, who made valuble contributions to San Jose State University. But most of these names and faces are antipodal or vague for many young Spartans. The university on its part did endeavor to keep their memory alive. As one can see many memorials dedicated to various personalities. For instance, when one walks straight from Faculty Offices building towards the left, a small white rock stands in center of the park commemorating the “vision of August Vollmer, Chief of Police, Berkeley California and T.W. Macquarrie, President of San Jose State College”. Their foresight led to the establishment of the first original police school in the United States founded in 1930 on this campus. But this white rock with its black text seems little like a monument and most of the time goes unnoticed. As Sam a Kinesiology student says, “ One has to sit down to take a look. Students going to classes would not really notice them”. The reason that most students give is that they are small and monotonous. So for Abhishek, a graduate student in Industrial engineering these memorials are “non-existent”. A few steps forward from this rock, is a small plaque presented by the class of 1955 in memory of James C. Devos. This rusty colored plaque has a picture of the person, but provides no information about the person or his accomplishments. So while old students pay no attention of it, new students are just left wondering who the person was. Bryan Toyota, a freshman in the business school says, “ When I went for campus tour, they did not mention anything about these dedication. All they show is the big buildings”. He adds, “What’s the point of they being there if people don’t learn about them.” Another student Rosa, from the department of Occupational Therapy says, “these memorials are bland and inaccessible. One has to tread on grass to read the information on them. The university should make them colorful and choose an interesting location.” Stephanie Neilson an undergraduate student in Kinesiology shares her view. She feels that, “they should be made more imposing and foliage should not there around them”. The university has many such sites that can be made striking. One of them is a circular bricked floor, behind Dwight Bentel Hall. Amidst this floor is a fountain surrounded by grass and benches. Though many students sit there they do not notice the names of persons and their departments embedded in it. So Alaina Fuglestad, a public relations, student says, “these memorials should be made bigger with brighter colors to make them eye catching.” Xu Li, a graduate of international trade from Wuhan University and a visiting scholar to SJSU provides some more suggestions. He feels that, “the various clubs and societies in the university should have adequate information about them. So that students can be educated regarding the history and the university web site can have a separate section for them.” Though most students furnished the ideas through which these dedications can be made conspicuous; some appreciate the university’s efforts to give recognition to these people. As Ayumi, an undergraduate, at the business school says, “ Those who notice them would appreciate any ways. So they are just good as it is.”
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