Students wanting to lie out in the sun and people-watch on the Diag have to wait until September due to the expansive construction projects on campus this summer.
Tom Schlass, director of the University's construction management department, said the University is taking advantage of the smaller number of students who inhabit the campus in the summer.
"The Diag and the central bell tower are under construction this summer due to the fact that most students are gone for the summer," Schlass said.
"The Diag project will be done by the start of school, while the central bell tower will be continued to be worked on well into October, but will be halted during winter and then resume construction next summer."
Some students are disappointed by the inaccessibility and inconvenience of walking around the the Central Campus area to get to class.
"It's just harder to get to class," said LSA junior Wesley Cox. "However, it's good that the construction is being done in the summer as opposed to the school year."
LSA junior John Schloss said the construction on the Diag is a significant obstacle for him.
"I was disappointed because I wanted to hang out and relax in the Diag this spring (and) summer," Schloss said. "It was a distraction to have to walk around the Diag."
Other students were concerned about the use of University money to renovate the Diag.
"I thought the Diag was fine before construction," said LSA junior Joe Groenke. "I think the construction on the Diag is an appalling and an unnecessary expense. The University should put those fundings towards helping students through school."
LSA junior Matt Rexer said the construction interrupts the harmony of Central Campus.
"The Diag is central to everything, so it was an inconvenience to get from one building to another during spring classes," Rexer said. "The Diag didn't even look like it needed the construction."
Campus construction projects are often started during the summertime.
"There was construction that took place last summer between Angell Hall and the Museum of Art," Rexer said.
LSA senior Jessica Hemker said she is frustrated by the constant construction on campus during her years at the University.
"I'm sick of it. Construction on campus has been going on since I was a freshman, I don't even know why they keep working on it," Hemker said. "Also, I have noticed that they are building more sidewalks in the Diag. I think that there's already enough cement on campus."
The Diag project is slated for completion in the fall.
BOHDAN DAMIAN CAP/Daily
Workers remove the clocks from the Burton Memorial Bell Tower as it receives a facelift.
07-09-97
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