Telling time on campus may be synonymous with chiming bells for students next year.
Though few students are likely aware of it, there is a bell tower in the courtyard between the Business Administration and Education buildings. For at least three years, it’s been silent.
By August, the bell tower – which contains three clocks and artificial electronic bells – could be ticking and ringing.
After receiving reports from alumni, faculty members, staff and students that the bell wasn’t ringing, Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration Brian Benner got an estimate for the tower’s renovation.
According to Benner, the report claimed that both ‘the clock mechanisms and the electronics were completely worn out.’ In order to repair the old gadgetry, $29,000 would be needed to fix both the clocks and the bell tower.
Due to the lack of funding from the University, Benner said the renovation couldn’t begin because of exorbitant costs.
As a result, Benner sought the help of the College of Musical Arts and asked them to find a more cost-effective way to fund the renovation.
‘About a week and a half ago, I got a response back saying that chimes could be recorded and supported for around $4,000 to $5,000,’ Benner said. ‘It would work like a regular clock – at one o’clock, one chime would go off and at two o’clock two chimes would sound and so on.’
In order to raise the money needed to fund the reinstallation of the bells, Benner suggested Undergraduate Student Government work with him in order to send out letters to potential donors, especially alumni.
‘Alumni will respond better if the letters come from you,’ he said.
Senator Jarell Potts, who is in full support of the renovation, said he hopes to make progress by asking former students for donations.
‘I think it’s an awesome idea, and it will work to get this resolved,’ Potts said. ‘I think a lot of alumni will be enthusiastic and respond to this.’
Benner’s hope is that if the $14,000 needed to fix the clock can be donated, the University will pick up the $4,000 or $5,000 needed to repair the bells.
USG Vice President Nick Gamero said he hopes the renovation of the bell tower will lead to the continued support of upholding campus traditions.
‘I’m a man that believes in tradition,’ Gamero said. ‘We’ve talked about making lots of changes this year, some of them being negative, and I believe that finally this is a change for the better.’
