The UTD Mercury

Media Credit: Jason Levine The materials for the roof reconstruction are stored outside the Conference Center adjacent to Drive A.

Correction: In this story, which appeared in the Nov. 17 issue of The UTD Mercury, quotes from Assistant Director of Facilities Services Sam Eicke were attributed to Richard Dempsey, associate vice president for Facilities Management. The story below reflects this correction. The Mercury regrets this error.

The sights and sounds of construction are all across campus. But for some students and faculty in the Conference Center, the smell is the problem.

Reconstruction of the building's roof began Oct. 28 and is scheduled to continue for 30 days, said Assistant Director of Facilities Services Sam Eicke. Part of the process includes cooking tar at 550 degrees to cover the roof.

"They were strong fumes," said sociology professor Bobby Alexander, whose classes in the Conference Center have been moved to different buildings. "They made me nauseous. They clamped up my throat. My response was so severe that I could not continue to teach in that room."

According to the Office of the Registrar, five classes have been moved because of the roof reconstruction.

Alexander said his primary concern is for the health of students.

"I have asthma and allergies," said sociology junior Janna Blouch, who takes classes in the building. "Anything that affects my ability to breathe, I view that as a health issue."

Eicke said the fumes are not harmful, and he did not realize that they would be an issue for students.

"The smell is minimal in the Conference Center compared to some other jobs I've done," Eicke said. "But, that doesn't mean other people aren't bothered by it, and I respect that."

One of the issues was that no one was informed beforehand said Lynn Butler, Academic Affairs administrative services officer, works in the building.

Vice President for Business Affairs Calvin Jamison said that with projects that require immediate attention, it can be challenging to get the message out in time.

"The standard procedure is that we do communicate with all the stakeholders in a building," he said. "We do absolutely apologize, and as we move forward, we're working hard on continuing to improve communications."

Students and faculty will be much better informed about the replacement of the Hoblitzelle Hall roof, which is scheduled to begin Dec. 17, Jamison said.

Alexander said while he doubts the lack of information was intentional, it is still important for the university to communicate with students and faculty.

"The bottom line is that I view this as disrespect and lack of concern for students," he said.

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