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	Vol.7, No 34, October 27, 1999
	Fine Arts buildings to be made over By Rebecca Brown Daily Forty-Niner Tiles are missing from the ceiling, paint is smeared on the walls and the sinks are clogged with putrid water.  These are just some of the conditions plaguing the Fine Arts buildings at Cal State Long Beach.  "The condition of these buildings is hideous," said Emily Quest, an undergraduate art major.  "Students are putting paint thinner down the sinks, the classrooms are poorly ventilated and the lighting is bad."  A renovation of the buildings has been in the works since 1992, said Scott Charmack, associate vice president for Facilities Management and Physical Planning.  The university finally has been given the green light to proceed with construction. The actual renovations should begin in December and should take 18 to 22 months to complete, said Jay Kvapil, art department chairman. "A lot has changed since 1955, when the building was constructed," Charmack said.  The cost of the renovation will be in the area of $14 million, Kvapil said. All the Fine Arts buildings should be similar in appearance after construction.  "We are keeping the structure, but major changes will be made," he said.  "The building will be totally gutted." The department was not given permission to begin construction until after the recession, Kvapil said. The reconstruction has been a bond issue, he said.  "We needed California voters to approve the cost of the renovation before the process could begin," Kvapil said. For some students, the renovation will make the buildings safer places to work. Quest said she was overcome by paint fumes and fainted one afternoon while she was working.  "They say that the ventilation system is fine, but it isn't," she said. Improper ventilation occurs when the system is not operating properly or is not being used properly, Kvapil said.  "There are two studios that students who use oil-based paints work in, and not everyone understands how to properly use the ventilation system," he said. The electrical systems of the buildings also need some work. The wiring is at least 40 years old, Charmack said. "We'll be working on updating the plumbing, the electrical and mechanical aspects of the building as well," he said. Both Kvapil and Charmack agreed students should be informed about the dangers of misusing the buildings' facilities.  All students who are given the privilege to paint in the buildings have be instructed about environmental dangers, such as putting highly toxic paint thinner down drains, Kvapil said. "This is most certainly a problem," he said.  "We don't want to shut down the studios, but we also can't control students 24 hours a day."		Happiness found in L.B.   College tuition lowered   Fine Arts buildings to be made over   Overseas scholarship awarded to CSULB student   Crime Log Death is part of war   Gun dealers senselessly targeted Fright Fest   Apollo Four Forty worth import price   Legendary band reunites for new release   Reality film features strong performances   Bizarre comedy film a hit Home schedule ends with defeat   Hockey team clubs its way to existence Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.