Mitchell Hall: I Caught the Stink a Long Time Ago

Ever since the Fall semester of my freshman year, my thoughts on Mitchell Hall have not been positive. Unfortunately, I have had at least one class a semester in Mitchell since I began my education here at UNM. This building has not only been one of the least attractive, displeasing sights on campus from the outside, but the smell associated with this sight on the inside definitely is not a complimentary factor. From a molded, dirty water fountain to a constantly rattling heater to the unsanitary smell of a bathroom, Mitchell Hall is filled with unpleasant surprises.

In one article published in the Daily Lobo at the beginning of last week, which I am unable rediscover the date or title, the displeasing characteristics of Mitchell Hall were addressed and revealed, as the discontentment of the students was apparent. Observing the various new buildings being built all over campus, including the recently finished Architecture building as well as the up and coming Centennial Engineering Center, it does not seem reasonable that the current issues arising about Mitchell Hall are even a problem today. Although Mitchell Hall is an older building, with much historical value and pleasure to appreciate, sewage smells and unclean commodities are not acceptable.

In a following article, “UNM Getting Into Stink Over Mitchell Hall,” published in the Daily Lobo on Friday, October 5th, it addressed the concerns discussed in the previous article about the deterioration of the building, mainly focusing on the disgusting sewage smell and the smell of trash, which once was produced by the trash collection room which has recently been relocated. In this article, it reveals that officials have met and discussed these problems and concerns, but are still indecisive on what action should be made. It states that, “the Physical Plant told the Daily Lobo in 2005 that two ventilation motors caused the stench.” If that is the case, which it appears to be, I think that two years is more than enough time to discuss and decide an appropriate action to take to stop this put a stop to and fix this issue. In many people’s households, if for any reason a problem arises dealing the plumbing, you can bet that the problem is taken care of immediately. I know this is true for my household, what about you? I am shocked that this problem began two years ago and still, nothing has been done. This irresponsible decision to ignore the downfall of Mitchell Hall has only become worse over time and is a major factor contributing to the unpleasantness and discontentment connected to the building, by both students and staff, as well as visitors and perspective students.

Within the past week, there have been two articles directed at the “stink” of Mitchell Hall revealing its importance and its impact on the life of the students and the campus as well. In my opinion, Mitchell Hall is in dyer need of improvement. If the university has money to build brand new buildings and pay our newly hired basketball coach $975,000 a year, like discussed the “Where Does Our Money Go?” blog, I feel that the university officials have had the time and the money to take appropriate action. The sewage smell is unacceptable and has an overall negative impact on the perception of the university as a whole. The supposed $70,000 plan to fix Mitchell Hall may affect and restrict the budget in some fashion, but will have a minimal impact on it as a whole when looking at the outrageous amounts spent elsewhere. The smell is affecting the performance and attitudes of the students, staff, and faculty, therefore dampering the reason we are all here, educational achievement and success. It is time this problem gets solved and addressed, one step at a time! Who’s with me?