Comments on: Bells, Gargoyles, and University http://www.the-vu.com/2009/05/bells-gargoyles-and-university/ An Original Internet Magazine - Online Every Day Since July 1st ,2000, at the-vu.com Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:38:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: H.E. Whitney http://www.the-vu.com/2009/05/bells-gargoyles-and-university/comment-page-1/#comment-9616 H.E. Whitney Sun, 24 May 2009 15:27:21 +0000 http://www.the-vu.com/?p=1845#comment-9616 Thanks for the responses. In regard to Lou's comment, the cleaning of bells and gargoyles falls to university hired, custodial staff. Since summer school has started, there are fewer students here and the mass cleaning of building exteriors occurs at this time. As far as bell maintenance is concerned, that probably goes on throughout the year. No matter if there is a holiday or what time of year, the bells ring constantly so I'm guessing that they are maintained on a consistent basis. As for Hettie's, comment, I think it's quite hilarious that my institution seems to have an identity crisis, and is stuck between faux gothic motifs and more "postmodern" architecture. The postmodern architecture involves buildings of geometric shapes compounded upon geometric shapes. There are resident halls here that are just 8 or 9 floor, oblong rectangles which seems to contrast with the gothic styled buildings. Arthur, universities and colleges will continue to use bells and gargoyles to give parents of prospective students the image of scholastic diligence: no matter what the academic reputation of the school is. Places where I haven't experienced these images are generally technically minded schools (e.g., MIT or Wentworth Institute of Technology in the Boston area) where technological innovation is revered more than an allegiance to an outdated scholastic tradition. Sports will also remain at universities that invest in them: especially at a school like mine which has established itself as a football university. Recently, we had a cheating scandal here that involved around 60 or so athletes and while the university suspended athletes from participation in games, the NCAA didn't think enough was done so it ordered the vacation of wins. The university is appealing that sanction but everyone knows the motivation for this is the fact that the football coach here is one of two Division I coaches with the highest win record, and the school would love to have the distinction of having employed a football coach with the most number of wins in Division I football. But cheating is cheating. I thought it was really bad that even the New York Times called out the coach and university on this one: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/25/sports/ncaafootball/25araton.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=bowden&st=cse Thanks for the responses. In regard to Lou’s comment, the cleaning of bells and gargoyles falls to university hired, custodial staff. Since summer school has started, there are fewer students here and the mass cleaning of building exteriors occurs at this time. As far as bell maintenance is concerned, that probably goes on throughout the year. No matter if there is a holiday or what time of year, the bells ring constantly so I’m guessing that they are maintained on a consistent basis.

As for Hettie’s, comment, I think it’s quite hilarious that my institution seems to have an identity crisis, and is stuck between faux gothic motifs and more “postmodern” architecture. The postmodern architecture involves buildings of geometric shapes compounded upon geometric shapes. There are resident halls here that are just 8 or 9 floor, oblong rectangles which seems to contrast with the gothic styled buildings.

Arthur, universities and colleges will continue to use bells and gargoyles to give parents of prospective students the image of scholastic diligence: no matter what the academic reputation of the school is. Places where I haven’t experienced these images are generally technically minded schools (e.g., MIT or Wentworth Institute of Technology in the Boston area) where technological innovation is revered more than an allegiance to an outdated scholastic tradition.

Sports will also remain at universities that invest in them: especially at a school like mine which has established itself as a football university. Recently, we had a cheating scandal here that involved around 60 or so athletes and while the university suspended athletes from participation in games, the NCAA didn’t think enough was done so it ordered the vacation of wins. The university is appealing that sanction but everyone knows the motivation for this is the fact that the football coach here is one of two Division I coaches with the highest win record, and the school would love to have the distinction of having employed a football coach with the most number of wins in Division I football. But cheating is cheating. I thought it was really bad that even the New York Times called out the coach and university on this one:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/25/sports/ncaafootball/25araton.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=bowden&st=cse

]]> By: Arthur http://www.the-vu.com/2009/05/bells-gargoyles-and-university/comment-page-1/#comment-9585 Arthur Sat, 23 May 2009 17:00:25 +0000 http://www.the-vu.com/?p=1845#comment-9585 Is that photo a rain-spewing gargoyle or just the typical student after 10 pints of beer? Universities should ban bells, gargoyles and beer. Alcohol, religion and superstition have no place in learning. The distractions are overwhelming when you have little time to study what you need to learn. They should get rid of the football and basketball also. Sports are a waste of time and money, and they give institutions of learning an image of an idiot club, rather than a seat of knowledge and intelligence. Is that photo a rain-spewing gargoyle or just the typical student after 10 pints of beer?

Universities should ban bells, gargoyles and beer. Alcohol, religion and superstition have no place in learning. The distractions are overwhelming when you have little time to study what you need to learn.

They should get rid of the football and basketball also. Sports are a waste of time and money, and they give institutions of learning an image of an idiot club, rather than a seat of knowledge and intelligence.

]]> By: Hettie Levine http://www.the-vu.com/2009/05/bells-gargoyles-and-university/comment-page-1/#comment-9570 Hettie Levine Sat, 23 May 2009 07:25:19 +0000 http://www.the-vu.com/?p=1845#comment-9570 It does seem odd that a modern university in Florida of all places should have the bells and gargoyles of the dark ages. Those fear tactics surely do not work on today's students. It does seem odd that a modern university in Florida of all places should have the bells and gargoyles of the dark ages. Those fear tactics surely do not work on today’s students.

]]> By: Lou. http://www.the-vu.com/2009/05/bells-gargoyles-and-university/comment-page-1/#comment-9566 Lou. Sat, 23 May 2009 06:19:41 +0000 http://www.the-vu.com/?p=1845#comment-9566 Bells and gargoyles and people connected to learning..and writers. Thank you for a very easy to read view. I would like to read more by a knowledgeable person (such as you), about the various people who do other work at these large, always spotlessly clean buildings on these huge complexes..(as shown in movies.) Such as, who maintains the grounds and the buildings, and who does the many small, but never-ending jobs all around ? I am a former South African, now living in Israel, and I have a few times followed a guided tour through such places, and have never before given much thought about this. I will wait in anticipation. Lou. Bells and gargoyles and people connected to learning..and writers.

Thank you for a very easy to read view. I would like to read more by a knowledgeable person (such as you), about the various people who do other work at these large, always spotlessly clean buildings on these huge complexes..(as shown in movies.)

Such as, who maintains the grounds and the buildings, and who does the many small, but never-ending jobs all around ?

I am a former South African, now living in Israel, and I have a few times followed a guided tour through such places, and have never before given much thought about this.

I will wait in anticipation.

Lou.

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