THE ACADEMICAL Village is without a doubt a historic part of the University grounds, and has been deservedly praised since its establishment. The renovation of the Acdaemical Village, and other aspects of the University, is important in order to preserve Jefferson's vision of the University.
In recognition of these facts, there is an ongoing campaign known as "Keep the Fires Burning" that focuses on collecting funds through donations to repair the fireplaces in the Lawn and the Range rooms. Preserving the Lawn and the Range rooms is most definitely important, but at a time when budget cuts are common and money is tight, there are more important University causes for which funds must be raised.
The University's budget report for the fiscal year 2011-2012 reveals fairly significant cuts such as the repeal of $22.4 million in state fiscal stabilization funds that once had been awarded to the University through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In addition, the University has experienced a $51 million reduction in state funds during the past five years. Because the funding that the University receives from the state government has decreased, the overall school budget has been adjusted accordingly.
Accommodations for the decreased funding have included different allocations of funding and budget cuts in areas such as research. Donations can be better used for replacing the lost state funding and ensuring that areas such as research receive sufficient support. Encouraging research is more important than ensuring the fireplaces are preserved because research has the potential to make an impact on a larger scale that goes beyond Grounds. Research has the capability to change the world and, therefore, should be given priority.
One may argue that research has lost its value because much of it is conducted upon trivial matters. Yet this overlooks recent valuable research, such as that which has increased understanding of human behavior or bacteria.
Furthermore, donations that go toward other causes will benefit more people. This is especially true in the case of scholarships, since in this economy higher education has become harder to obtain. Granted, sometimes it is easier to collect donations for a special cause like "Keep the Fires Burning," but this merely means the efforts to raise scholarship funds should be redoubled.
The reasoning behind the "Keep the Fires Burning" campaign is certainly understandable. The fireplaces, just like the Lawn itself, are very much symbolic to the University. Living on the Lawn and experiencing the same living quarters as the University's first students is a unique opportunity. Having the fireplace in good condition is part of that journey toward truly experiencing the University.
But if one is to prioritize, other aspects of the University should come first. Moreover, leaving the fireplaces as they are for a couple of years will not severely jeopardize the experience of living on the Lawn. Fourth-year student Denson Staples, who is living on the Lawn, claims, "I believe the donations being collected for the campaign could be potentially spent elsewhere. However, I also recognize that maintaining the student experience and traditions of the University is of vital importance to alumni and other University stakeholders. In restoring the fireplaces, I think we may be encouraging continued alumni support for student life and the University at large."
Although I concede that the campaign might encourage alumni support for the University, I do not think that the increase in support will be substantial enough to endorse this campaign.
The Academical Village is definitely an important historic site. Nevertheless, renovations can wait until the economy picks up and the budget cuts become less significant. At that point, collecting donations for such a cause would be wise.
Fariha Kabir's column appears Thursdays in The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at f.kabir@cavalierdaily.com.
Read More
EDITORIAL: U.Va. Health lets fear trump its mission to do no harm
By Editorial Board | 4 hours agoIt is high time to resist these authoritative and dangerous actions before there are no federal avenues left for resistance.
CARTER: U.Va. Health owes clarity to transplant patients
By Nathaniel Carter | 3 days agoUnfortunately, this negative press is fully the fault of U.Va. Health — it failed to address significant stakeholder concerns when crafting its justification.
EDITORIAL: Upholding medical amnesty is a collective effort
By Editorial Board | 4 days agoUniversity leadership, Greek life organizations and students themselves must recommit to the safety provided by an effective and knowledgeable use of medical amnesty.
