Novemser 30, 2004

THE CADRE e 15

ON CAMPUS

_ The Leak In Room 104

_ Matt Campbell Reporter

“It’s raining in class,”’said David Hughes, a UPEI student early Wednesday morning. No, it isn’t the Kelly building this time. It isn’t even rain. Cass room 104 leaked from the toilets above.

“T have class in thatroom every day,” said Neal Gillis, “and personally, I’ve been waiting for those pipes to burst for a number of weeks now. Every time the toilet flushes upstairs you can hear this huge screeching noise, and then the whole ceiling shakes. In my class there this afternoon, it really started to rain down. Dripping water isn’t the gross part... it’s that every time the toilet flushed the pipes rained a little more.”

Students were devastated as they tried to maintain concentration in the classroom. Its true that UPEI has had a number of problems with the maintenance of classroom in recent history, namely the Kelly roof which

has been repaired anumber oftimesin |

the last four years. One can observe that building maintenance is one of the greatest challenges for UPEI to conquer considering the school is over 200 years old. It is a costly process, however students have aright to expect a basic standard of upkeep. The university seems to be on top of its game in almost every other category but we’re seeing struggles keeping all buildings in top shape.

Action was swift by the

cleaning staff. Hughes gave notice to.

their immediate repairs. “The leak is at the front of the class 104 near the door over the first seat of each row. The ceiling tiles are removed from there

back, about halfway back.”

eke

Hughes added, “I wouldn’t want to be the maintenance guy, there’s nothing worse than trying to diagnose a recurring problem.”

I also spoke with Prof. Chris Vessey regarding the leak. “Obviously there is a problem with the drain, but to meit looks like sabotage... Itcan’tbeall accident. One toilet bowl isn’t enough to flood the entire bathroom.”

“There was water on the 200 level, and leaking in the middle of 104,” continued Vessey. “It might have been some students who wanted to get out of class early. You just can’t flood the bathroom by accident.”

Disgruntled student Tamara Palmer spoke out in defence of Cass plumbing. “Apparently people are blaming the engineers, don’t they know you’re not supposed to shove paper towel in the toilet.”

Clearly opinions vary from student to student, but one thing remains constant. There is a recurring problem with the building maintenance. Sewage in the class is not acceptable. UPEI will need to gather sufficient resources to permanently diagnose and find a long term solution for these problems. Are there resources being wasted, when the budget is already being stretched so far? And who are the culprits clogging out toilets?

Hughes disagrees with general consensus claiming engineering stu- dents are at fault. “Anyone could have done it. Maybe even someone with a high fibre diet.”

Atpublication time no meetings have yet been scheduled between the engineers and the university’s nutrition students.

UPEI Student Club Promotes Peace, Love, Global Understanding

Who says peace, love and understanding is dead?

Kimberley Johnston Reporter

Well, my friends, the concepts are alive and well and being promoted on our very campus. Rotaract, which is a club associated with Rotary International for men and women aged 18-30, is one of 17,000 Rotaract clubs world wide, with over 400,000 Rotaractors (members).

Rotaract Charlottetown president, Lana Saciragic, says the group’s existence is mutually beneficial to the public and the people who have joined the club.

“Rotaracthas three main focuses: community and international service, leadership development and professional development.The program is part of a global effort to bring peace and international understanding to the world. We do many service projects which benefit the community at large. We promote peace and goodwill through awareness and education about pertinent issues. The members have chances to improve their leadership skills by heading small groups which do projects, (in turn) they learn more about their community and the world.”

The organization has taken part in a number of activities since its inception in January 2004. The 15- member group has participated in a variety of activities including tree planting, food drives for the Upper Food Bank, and cooking Thanksgiving dinner at the newly opened homeless shelter.

But they won’tbe resting on their laurels for the holidays, she said. The group is planning a repeat performance

at the homeless shelter for Christmas, among other things to keep them busy in the new year. “We have a few projects on the go,” explained Saciragic. “We will be cooking dinner at the homeless shelter for Christmas, we’re planning a major international project and we are planning an event for international students at UPEI.”

The Rotaract president explained that she has big hopes for the club, but there are always obstacles to overcome. “The biggest challenge for our club is keeping it going once members who are in their fourth year leave UPEI. We want Rotaract to be an integral part of the university and be as well known as some other societies. Another challenge weare facing, as any new club, is getting our name out there, so that when we say Rotaract, people will recognize who we are.”

Ifyou have any questions about Rotaract or are interested in being a memeber, e-mail: rotaractofcharlottetown@ iLcom. If you are stressed about your ever- packed daily planner, no worries, says the president. You don’t have to attend all of the meetings. And there is lots of room to move as far as projects go.

“Rotaract is not a very strict organization. We value our members’ opinions and encourage them to get involved in planning projects, bringing up ideas for what we can do, voicing their opinions on issues they feel are very important. In addition, Rotaract is backed by two Rotary clubs of Charlottetown, which consists of professionals in the community.”

“No project is too big to take

”

on.